Breakaway Football (2017) Board Game

Breakaway Football is a tabletop board game that was released in 2017 by Uplink Underground Games. It is designed for 1-4 players and is recommended for ages 12 and up. The game falls under the sports category and includes mechanics such as Action Queue and Hand Management.

Game Components of Breakaway Football

Teams: Four unique teams in the base game, with many more available through expansions, each representing different playstyles inspired by real pro football teams.

Cards: Offense cards, Defense cards, and Game Day cards. Offense cards have base numerical values and specify the type of play (Run or Pass). Defense cards feature values for Run and Pass plays. Game Day cards introduce random events such as penalties, sacks, or breakaway touchdowns.

Board: An accordion board play surface for the Second Edition.

Tokens: Used for solo play and other game mechanics.

Solo AI Sheets: Updated AI sheets for solo play, awarded the “Stomp of Approval” by Solosaurus Podcast in 2024.

How To Setup Breakaway Football

To set up Breakaway Football, each player selects a team and receives the corresponding deck of Offense cards. The Defense cards are also distributed accordingly. The Game Day deck is shuffled and placed within reach of both players. Each player starts with 15 Offense cards, and the game begins with a kickoff. The players must discard cards from their Offense deck to match the number of Offense cards their opponent has left when the drive ends.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Play: Players take turns playing hidden Offense and Defense cards, which are revealed and compared to determine the play outcome. Game Day cards add random events.

Breakaways: Special plays that can result in significant gains or losses, triggered by matching play types between Offense and Defense cards.

Clock Management: Each quarter runs exactly 15 plays. Players can use timeouts to recover discarded cards. The game ends after four quarters, with the player having the most points winning.

Team Unique Rules: Each team has its own ruleset and card distribution, reflecting different real-life team strategies.

Player Experience

Playing Breakaway Football is an immersive experience that captures the ebb and flow of a real football game. The game requires strategic thinking and mind games between players as they try to outmaneuver each other with play calls and formations. The simplicity of the game engine contrasts with the complexity of strategies, making it engaging and fun. Games typically last about 90 minutes but feel much shorter due to the engaging gameplay.

Pros

Excellent Gameplay Flow: Smooth and engaging gameplay that simulates the real feel of football.

Diverse Teams: Unique teams with different playstyles, allowing players to find a team that fits their strategy.

High Replayability: Lots of expansion support, including new teams, weather cards, and season play options.

Solo Play: Includes downloadable solo AI for each team, enhancing solo play experience.

Cons

Price: Considered a bit pricey.

Randomness: The Game Day deck can introduce significant randomness, affecting game outcomes.

Personal Thoughts on Breakaway Football

Breakaway Football is a must-own for any fan of football and strategy games. It perfectly balances complexity and simplicity, making it accessible yet deeply strategic. The game’s ability to simulate the unpredictability and excitement of real football makes it highly enjoyable. While it may be pricey, the depth and variety it offers, along with excellent solo play options, make it well worth the investment. This game is ideal for those who enjoy strategic card games and are looking for a game that accurately captures the essence of football.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.