Disney Villainous: Introduction to Evil (2023) Board Game

Disney Villainous: Introduction to Evil is a board game that was released in 2023, designed for 2-4 players aged 10 and above. The game incorporates characters from various Disney movies, focusing on the villains and their evil schemes. Players take on the roles of iconic Disney villains, each with their own unique abilities and objectives.

Game Components of Disney Villainous: Introduction to Evil

4 Realms

4 Villain Movers

120 Villain Cards

60 Fate Cards

40 Tokens

1 Cauldron

4 Reference Cards

4 Villain Guides

Instructions

How To Setup Disney Villainous: Introduction to Evil

To set up the game, each player chooses a villain (Maleficent, Captain Hook, Ursula, or Prince John) and places their villain mover on the starting location of their realm. Each player receives two power tokens to begin with, which is a change from the original game where players start with zero tokens. Players also draw a starting hand of cards and place the fate decks within reach. The game includes detailed instructions and villain guides to help new players understand the setup and gameplay quickly.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Movement: Move your villain to different locations on their realm to access actions.

Card Play: Use power tokens to play cards from your hand, including minions, items, and other strategies.

Fate Cards: Draw from opponents’ fate decks to disrupt their plans with heroes and items from the villain’s movie.

Win Conditions:
– Maleficent: Place a Curse at each location in her Realm.
– Ursula: Have the Trident and the Crown at Ursula’s Lair.
– Captain Hook: Defeat Peter Pan at the Jolly Roger.
– Prince John: Collect 20 Power tokens and have Robin Hood at The Jail.

Player Experience

This game is designed with beginner players in mind, particularly those new to the Disney Villainous series or tabletop gaming. The simplified rules and streamlined instructions make it easier for new players to jump in. However, long-time fans might notice that this version does not address balance issues present in some of the original characters. The gameplay remains engaging, with each villain offering unique strategies and objectives, but some players may find certain villains less viable in competitive games.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simplified rules and instructions make it accessible to new players.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 10+, making it a great introduction to strategy games for younger players.

High Replay Value: Compatible with other Disney Villainous titles, allowing for a wide range of villain combinations.

Thematic Illustrations: Custom illustrations and artful sculpted movers enhance the immersive game design.

Cons

Balance Issues: Some characters remain imbalanced, particularly in multi-player games.

Limited Character Selection: Does not include all villains from the original game, such as the Queen of Hearts and Jafar.

Long Playtime: While streamlined, the game can still take 40-80 minutes to play, which may be too long for younger players.

Personal Thoughts on Disney Villainous: Introduction to Evil

This game is ideal for new players, especially those who are fans of Disney and looking to get into tabletop gaming. It serves as a perfect starting point, introducing the core mechanics of the Disney Villainous series in a more accessible way. However, veteran players might find it less appealing if they were hoping for balance updates or new challenges. Overall, it is a great addition to the series for expanding its audience and making the game more inclusive for new gamers.

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