Disney Gargoyles: Awakening (2021) Board Game

Disney Gargoyles: Awakening is a cooperative board game based on the popular animated series “Gargoyles” that aired in the 1990s. The game allows players to take on the roles of the heroic Gargoyles as they protect the city of Manhattan from various threats. Designed by Greg Bartlett, Mike Rayhawk, and Jean-Baptiste Reynaud, the game was published in 2021 by Ravensburger, known for their high-quality board games.

Game Components of Disney Gargoyles: Awakening

Game Board: A 3D cityscape of Manhattan featuring landmarks from the show, such as the gargoyles’ eyrie and the police clock tower.

Character Miniatures: Miniatures of the six gargoyle characters and their human ally Elisa, as well as standees for the villains Xanatos and Demona.

Hero Cards: Each character has a unique deck of hero cards, which allow for various actions and abilities.

Scenario Cards: Four different scenarios, including three cooperative missions and one versus-all scenario.

Items: Magical items like the Eye of Odin, which provide additional actions or benefits.

How To Setup Disney Gargoyles: Awakening

Setting up the game involves assembling the 3D Manhattan board, which can be cumbersome as the eyrie does not fit back into the box when assembled. Players must disassemble the buildings after each play to store them properly. The game includes standees and miniatures that need to be placed on the board according to the scenario being played.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together to complete missions, controlling one of the heroic gargoyles or their human ally Elisa.

Action Points: Each turn, players have three actions to move, attack, or use hero cards.

Hero Cards: Unique decks for each character that allow for special abilities and actions.

Scenario Objectives: Complete specific objectives in each scenario, such as defeating Xanatos and Demona or stopping their evil plots.

Versus-All Scenario: One player takes on the role of David Xanatos, while the others play as the gargoyles.

Player Experience

Disney Gargoyles: Awakening offers a light skirmish game experience that is easy to learn but lacks depth and replayability. The game does a good job of representing the characters and their roles from the show, and the 3D board is visually appealing. However, the setup can be finicky, and the rules sometimes lack clarity on complex situations.

Pros

Character Representation: The game accurately represents the characters and their abilities from the show.

Easy to Learn: The gameplay mechanics are straightforward and easy to understand.

Visuals: The 3D Manhattan board and miniatures are visually impressive.

Gateway Game: A good introduction to grid-based skirmish games.

Cons

Limited Replayability: Only four scenarios available, with small decks that quickly become familiar.

Setup Issues: The 3D board components do not fit back into the box when assembled, and the buildings can delaminate over time.

Lack of Complexity: The game is very basic and lacks engaging depth.

Unclear Rules: Some rules and complex situations are not well-explained.

Personal Thoughts on Disney Gargoyles: Awakening

Disney Gargoyles: Awakening is best suited for family and casual gamers, particularly those who are fans of the original show. While it serves as a good introduction to grid-based skirmish games, it lacks the complexity and replay value that more experienced players might seek. For parents who are fans of Gargoyles, this could be a fun way to introduce their children to both the show and board gaming, but it may not hold long-term interest due to its simplicity and limited content.

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