Kingdom Rush: Rift in Time (2020) Board Game

Kingdom Rush: Rift in Time is a cooperative board game based on the popular tower defense video game series, Kingdom Rush. The board game was released in 2020 by Lucky Duck Games and designed by Alara Cameron, Helana Hope, and Sen-Foong Lim. The game brings the tower defense gameplay of the video game to the tabletop, allowing players to work together to defend the kingdom against invading forces.

Game Components of Kingdom Rush: Rift in Time

High-quality components: Include stunning artwork, detailed miniatures, and polyomino pieces.

Hero cards: Each hero has unique abilities and upgrade paths.

Tower cards: Used to build and upgrade towers to defend against enemies.

Enemy tokens: Represent various monsters and hordes.

Portals and scenario books: Include 10 scenarios in the base game and additional content from expansions.

Campaign progress map and stickers: For tracking player progress through the campaign.

Cardboard sheets: Contain landscape, spells/powers, generic tokens, and polyominal tokens that need to be punched out.

How To Setup Kingdom Rush: Rift in Time

Setting up the game involves several steps. First, players need to punch out numerous cardboard tokens, which can take around an hour. The rulebook and scenario book are provided to guide the setup process. Players start by choosing their heroes and initial towers, with each hero having a character sheet detailing the starting towers. The game board is set up according to the chosen scenario, and enemy trays are prepared. The game also includes a solo mode, but the setup for solo play involves specific adjustments outlined in the rulebook.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative gameplay: Players team up to strategize and coordinate to defend the kingdom.

Tower defense: Players build and upgrade towers using polyomino pieces to attack enemies.

Hero abilities: Each hero has special abilities and upgrade paths.

Time-traveling adventure: The game features a narrative where players must stop the evil Time Mage from disrupting the kingdom’s timeline.

Objective: Defeat the enemy hordes and destroy the Time Mage’s portals to win. The game is lost if the portals cross the exit or the kingdom’s health (hearts) drops to zero.

Player Experience

**Kingdom Rush: Rift in Time** offers a engaging and accessible gaming experience. The game is designed to be family-friendly and easy to learn, making it suitable for players aged 12 and above. The gameplay involves strategic planning and coordination among players to fend off the advancing hordes. The use of polyomino pieces and hero abilities adds a layer of complexity and fun. The campaign progress map and stickers provide a sense of accomplishment as players progress through the game.

Pros

Accessible and family-friendly: Easy to learn and play with teens and tweens.

High-quality components: Detailed miniatures and artwork enhance the gaming experience.

Campaign progression: The game includes a campaign progress map and stickers to track progress.

Solo mode available: Allows for solo play with specific adjustments.

Replayability: Multiple scenarios and difficulty levels ensure high replay value.

Cons

Setup time: Punching out tokens can take around an hour.

Complexity in solo mode setup: Solo mode rules can be initially confusing.

Space requirements: The game requires a significant amount of space to set up and play.

Personal Thoughts on Kingdom Rush: Rift in Time

**Kingdom Rush: Rift in Time** is an excellent choice for those who enjoy cooperative games and tower defense mechanics. It is particularly suitable for families and casual gamers who value accessibility and fun gameplay. For those who prefer complex, luxury games, this might not be the best fit, but for anyone looking for an engaging and affordable cooperative experience, this game is highly recommended. The inclusion of a campaign progress system and the ability to play solo add to its appeal, making it a great addition to any board game collection.

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