Ancient Terrible Things (2014) Board Game

Ancient Terrible Things is a horror-themed board game that was released in in 2014. It is designed by Simon McGregor and published by Buró. The game combines elements of dice rolling, hand management, push your luck, re-rolling and locking, set collection, and worker placement. The artwork, done by Rob van Zyl, adds to the immersive and eerie atmosphere of the game.

Game Components of Ancient Terrible Things

Game board featuring a dark jungle river

Character cards

Fateful Location cards

Sanity tokens

Health tokens

Dice (including a set of custom dice)

Adventure cards

Ancient Terrible Things cards

How To Setup Ancient Terrible Things

To set up the game, each player selects a character card and places it on the starting location on the board. Each character has unique abilities and starting resources. The Fateful Location deck is shuffled and placed within reach of all players. The Ancient Terrible Things deck, Sanity tokens, Health tokens, and dice are also prepared and made accessible. Players start with a set amount of Sanity and Health tokens.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Exploration: Players travel to Fateful Locations on the jungle river.

Combat and Resolution: Custom dice and a resolution mechanic determine outcomes of exploration and combat.

Resource Management: Players manage Sanity and Health tokens to stay alive.

Character Abilities: Unique abilities on character cards influence gameplay.

Objective: The goal is to be the first player to achieve three Story Points by resolving Fateful Locations and overcoming Ancient Terrible Things.

Player Experience

Players take on the roles of intrepid adventurers, navigating the dangers of a dark jungle river. Each turn involves traveling to a new location, confronting challenges, and managing resources to maintain sanity and health. The game is known for its blend of strategy and luck, making it both fun and occasionally frustrating.

Pros

Engaging Theme: A compelling pulp horror setting draws players into the adventure.

Custom Dice Mechanics: The unique dice system adds a layer of complexity and excitement.

Replayability: High variability in character abilities and Fateful Locations ensures different experiences each game.

Easy to Learn: The game is relatively simple to pick up, making it accessible to new players.

Cons

Luck-Based Outcomes: The reliance on dice rolls can lead to frustrating moments.

Sanity and Health Management: Players must carefully manage resources, which can be challenging.

Limited Player Count: Designed for 2-4 players, which may limit group sizes.

Personal Thoughts on Ancient Terrible Things

**Ancient Terrible Things** is ideal for fans of adventure games and pulp horror themes. It offers a thrilling experience with a good balance of strategy and luck. This game is perfect for players looking for a fun, yet sometimes challenging, adventure that can be completed in a reasonably short amount of time. If you enjoy games with unique mechanics and high replayability, **Ancient Terrible Things** is definitely worth considering.

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