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Above and Below (2015) Board Game

ByMichail

Above and Below is a board game that was released in 2015 by designer Ryan Laukat and published by Red Raven Games. It falls under the categories of adventure, city building, economic, exploration, and fantasy. The game has received positive reviews for its unique combination of storytelling and strategy elements.

Game Components of Above and Below

  • Villager cards** with unique abilities and statistics
  • Scenario Book** for underground adventures
  • Player boards** for managing village and underground expeditions
  • Building cards** for constructing above and below ground
  • Goods tokens** for resource management
  • Coins** for transactions
  • Dice** for resolving scenarios
  • Underground tunnel cards** for exploration

    How To Setup Above and Below

    To set up Above and Below, each player starts with a personal village board and a handful of villagers. Players place their starting villagers on their boards and receive an initial set of coins. The Scenario Book and building cards are shuffled and placed within reach. The underground tunnel cards are prepared, and the game is ready to begin.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Town Building: Players construct buildings and outposts above ground using resources and villagers.
  • Underground Exploration: Villagers are sent to explore the underground tunnels, where they encounter scenarios from the Scenario Book, making choices and rolling dice to determine success or failure.
  • Resource Management: Players manage goods, coins, and villagers to optimize their village’s growth.
  • Set Collection: Gathering goods and resources that increase in value as the collection grows.
  • Game Objective: The player who builds the most well-developed village, both above and below ground, wins the game.

    Player Experience

    Playing Above and Below is an immersive experience that combines strategic planning with the thrill of exploration. Players must balance the need to build and expand their village above ground with the allure of valuable resources and surprises below ground. The Scenario Book adds a narrative layer, offering choices that can significantly impact the game’s outcome. Each turn is quick, but the overall game can take around 90 minutes to complete.

    Pros

  • Engaging Storytelling: The Scenario Book provides a rich narrative experience with diverse and exciting encounters.
  • Aesthetic Appeal: The game features cheerful yet spooky artwork, with well-designed player boards and card art.
  • Strategic Depth: Players must make meaningful decisions about resource allocation and risk management.
  • High Replayability: Random scenarios and varied villager abilities ensure different experiences each game.

    Cons

  • Randomness and Luck: The success of underground expeditions can be highly random, sometimes leading to significant disparities in player progress.
  • Economic Challenges: Managing coins and resources can be tight, making certain actions or purchases difficult.
  • Disjointed Experience: Some players feel the game’s two main components (above and below ground) don’t fully integrate seamlessly.

    Personal Thoughts on Above and Below

    Above and Below is a game that will appeal to fans of narrative-driven games and those who enjoy a mix of strategy and exploration. While it has its flaws, particularly in the balance of randomness and resource management, it offers a unique and engaging experience. It is best suited for players who appreciate a blend of town-building, storytelling, and strategic decision-making. However, due to its variability and occasional disjointedness, it may not be the perfect fit for everyone, especially those seeking highly consistent gameplay outcomes.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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