Journey: Wrath of Demons (2015) Board Game

Journey: Wrath of Demons is a cooperative board game that was released in in 2015. It is set in a fantastical world inspired by ancient Chinese mythology and folklore. The game is designed by Henning Ludvigsen, Antonio José Manzanedo, and Adrian Smith, and it features stunning artwork by Edge Entertainment and Marrow Production. Players take on the roles of heroes who must work together to defeat powerful demons and save the world from destruction.

Game Components of Journey: Wrath of Demons

Miniatures: 21 finely detailed miniatures, including bull demons, minotaurs, centaurs, a minotaur lord, and a Demon Dragon.

Map Tiles: 6 double-sided map tiles for varying terrain.

Dice: 6 custom dice for resolving combat and other actions.

Game Cards: Over 150 game cards, including skill cards, weapon upgrades, and corruption cards.

Rulebook: A 40-page rulebook with detailed instructions and examples.

How To Setup Journey: Wrath of Demons

To set up the game, players first arrange the map tiles to create the terrain for the current scenario. Each player selects one of the four pilgrim characters, each with unique stats, skill cards, and upgradeable weapon cards. The game’s AI controls the enemies, such as the bull demons. Players then place their character miniatures on the starting locations indicated on the map tiles. Health trackers and other game components are positioned according to the scenario’s requirements. However, be cautious with the miniatures and their inserts, as they can be tricky to handle due to their form-fitting positions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together as the four pilgrims to battle against the bull demons and other enemies controlled by the game’s AI.

Karma System: Players balance good and bad karma, with good karma earned from positive deeds like rescuing villagers and bad karma from killing enemies. This system affects character development and can lead to corruption.

Dice Rolls: Combat and actions are resolved through dice rolls, which can significantly impact the game’s outcome.

Character Goals: Each character has their own goals in addition to the main objective of defeating the Bull Demon King.

Scenarios and Expansions: The game includes standalone missions and the potential for expansions to add new characters, monsters, and adventures.

Player Experience

Players embark on a narrative-driven journey, navigating through various scenarios and making strategic decisions to balance their karma. The game features detailed miniatures and a complex rule set, making it more suited for experienced gamers. The unique karma system adds a layer of strategy and moral consequence, encouraging players to think beyond just combat. However, some players may find the dice rolls too luck-dependent and the inserts for the miniatures frustrating to manage.

Pros

Unique Setting: Rooted in Chinese mysticism, offering a refreshing change from typical themes.

Detailed Miniatures: High-quality, large, and detailed miniatures that rival those of wargaming and RPG figures.

Karma System: Adds a strategic and moral depth to the game.

Character Variety: Each character has unique stats, skill cards, and upgradeable weapon cards.

Scenarios and Objectives: Includes conditions for normal and heroic victories, adding replay value.

Cons

Insert Issues: Miniatures can be difficult to remove from their form-fitting positions.

Luck-Dependent: Combat outcomes heavily rely on dice rolls, which may not appeal to all players.

Fiddly Trackers: Player board trackers can be difficult to move and lack clear indicators.

Limited Base Content: The base game mentions expansions that may not exist, which can be disappointing.

Personal Thoughts on Journey: Wrath of Demons

**Journey: Wrath of Demons** is ideal for fans of cooperative games, particularly those intrigued by unique settings and deep narrative elements. It’s a great choice for experienced gamers who appreciate detailed miniatures and complex mechanics. However, due to its complexity and reliance on dice rolls, it may not be the best fit for casual or new board game enthusiasts. The game’s value lies not only in its gameplay but also in the high-quality miniatures, making it a bargain for those looking to enhance their miniature collections.

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