King of Tokyo: Dark Edition is a special edition of the popular board game, King of Tokyo, designed by Richard Garfield and published by IELLO. This dark version of the game was released in 2020 and adds a new twist to the original game with updated artwork and a darker theme. Players take on the roles of giant monsters vying for control of Tokyo in a fast-paced dice rolling and fighting game.
Game Components of King of Tokyo: Dark Edition
Dice: Six opaque and smoky dice.Monsters: Figurines of giant monsters like Alienoid, Cyber Bunny, and Mecha Dragon, each with a dark, monochromatic color scheme.Energy Tokens: Upgraded energy tokens shaped like lightning bolts.Wickedness Track: A track numbered 1-10 to track players’ wickedness points.Power Cards: A deck of cards with various effects, some new and some from the original game.Wickedness Tiles: Double-sided tiles with different upgrades, red and green sides.Health and Victory Point Trackers: Tokens and dials to track health and victory points.Tokens for Special Effects: Tokens for poison breath, shrink ray, and other special abilities.
How To Setup King of Tokyo: Dark Edition
To set up the game, each player selects a monster figurine and places it outside of Tokyo. Players set their health to the maximum (ten) and their victory points to zero. The Wickedness track is initialized, and the power card deck is prepared. The board features two main locations: Tokyo and outside Tokyo (with Tokyo Bay in 5-6 player games). The first player rolls the dice to start the game.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Dice Rolling: Players roll six dice, similar to Yahtzee, aiming to match numbers for points, energy, or health.Location Management: Players can move into or out of Tokyo, with different consequences for attacks and healing.Health and Victory Points: Players lose health from attacks and gain victory points for staying in Tokyo or rolling specific numbers.Energy and Power Cards: Energy tokens are used to buy power cards that offer various benefits and effects.Wickedness Track: Rolling specific numbers (triple 1s or 2s) earns wickedness points, which unlock special upgrades.Game Objective: The first player to reach 20 victory points or the last monster standing wins the game.
Player Experience
**King of Tokyo: Dark Edition** offers a fast-paced, fun, and furious gameplay experience. The game is easy to pick up, making it accessible to new players, while still providing enough depth for experienced gamers. The addition of the Wickedness track introduces new strategic layers, such as the benefits of rolling certain numbers that were previously less desirable.
Pros
Engaging Mechanics: The dice-rolling mechanism combined with the strategic use of power cards and the Wickedness track keeps the game exciting.Visuals: The dark, monochromatic theme and upgraded components enhance the game’s aesthetic.Replayability: The double-sided Wickedness tiles and varied power cards increase the game’s replay value.Family-Friendly: Despite its dark theme, the game is suitable for younger players due to its cartoony and light-hearted nature.
Cons
Limited Changes: For those familiar with the original, the changes might not be significant enough to warrant a new purchase.Card Quality: The cards lack a linen finish, which might affect their durability.Text Size: Some players might find the text on the tiles and cards to be smaller than preferred.
Personal Thoughts on King of Tokyo: Dark Edition
**King of Tokyo: Dark Edition** is ideal for fans of the original game looking for a fresh twist or new players who enjoy light, yet strategically engaging games. It’s perfect for families and groups seeking a quick, entertaining experience. However, if you already have the original game and its expansions, the new features might not be enough to justify purchasing this edition unless you’re a collector or particularly fond of the new aesthetic and mechanics.
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.
