Four Against Darkness (2016) Board Game

Four Against Darkness is a solo dungeon-crawling adventure game designed by Andrea Sfiligoi and published by Ganesha Games in in 2016. The game combines elements of exploration, adventure, and fantasy in a compact and portable format, making it ideal for solo players looking for a quick and immersive gaming experience.

Game Components of Four Against Darkness

The game book

A pencil

Two six-sided dice

Grid paper

Optional: Various supplements and expansion books, such as Fiendish Foes and Four Against The Abyss.

How To Setup Four Against Darkness

To set up the game, you start by creating your characters, typically a party of four, each with their own stats and equipment. You then begin by drawing a map on grid paper, representing the dungeon you will explore. The game book guides you through character creation, equipment selection, and the initial setup of your dungeon map. The process involves rolling dice to determine the layout of the dungeon and the encounters you will face.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Character Creation: Players create a party of four characters, each with unique abilities and equipment.

Dungeon Mapping: Players draw the dungeon map on grid paper as they explore.

Dice Rolling: Use two six-sided dice to determine room contents, treasure, and combat outcomes.

Combat Mechanics: Streamlined combat system where monster level determines to-hit or to-defend numbers on a D6.

Character Progression: Characters gain experience and improve as they survive encounters.

Objective: The goal is to explore the dungeon, defeat monsters, collect treasure, and overcome challenges.

Player Experience

Playing Four Against Darkness offers a highly abstracted and traditional dungeoncrawl experience. The game captures the essence of old-school fantasy gaming with its simple yet engaging mechanics. Players enjoy the physicality of drawing maps and rolling dice, which adds a tactile element to the game. However, the game’s rulebook is often criticized for its poor organization, which can make it difficult to navigate.

Pros

Accessible and Affordable: The base game is inexpensive, and additional supplements are also budget-friendly.

Highly Customizable: Players can homebrew rules and mix elements from different supplements to tailor their experience.

Community Support: A large and active fan community contributes to the game through fan-made supplements.

Traditional Feel: It evokes a classic dungeoncrawl experience with minimal modern components.

Cons

Rulebook Organization: The rulebook is poorly organized, making it challenging to find specific rules.

Limited Scope: The base game has limited monster and treasure tables, which can lead to repetitive experiences.

Complexity in Supplements: With many supplements available, choosing the right ones can be overwhelming.

Personal Thoughts on Four Against Darkness

Four Against Darkness is ideal for those who enjoy solo tabletop gaming and are looking for a nostalgic, old-school dungeoncrawl experience. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate the simplicity and physicality of drawing maps and rolling dice. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking a highly tactical or sophisticated game, as its mechanics are relatively straightforward and abstract. For new players to solo tabletop RPGs, it offers an accessible and engaging introduction, but be prepared to navigate the complexities of its supplements and rulebook organization.

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