Last Defense! (2020) Board Game

Last Defense! is a cooperative board game released in 2020 by Funko Games. Designed for 2 to 6 players, this game involves dice rolling and teamwork as players work together to defend their city from impending doom. With a runtime of around 20 minutes, Last Defense! is suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Game Components of Last Defense!

Game board

Character cards

Tool cards

Rubble tokens

Threat tokens (including space aliens, spider robots, and a building-sized blob)

Scientists to rescue

App for setup, timer, and game directions

How To Setup Last Defense!

To set up Last Defense!, players lay out the board, distribute the character cards, and prepare the tool cards and rubble tokens. The game requires downloading an associated app, which randomizes the placement of tokens, sets the difficulty level, provides a timer, and guides the movement and appearance of threats during the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together to save the city.

Time Limit: The game must be completed within 20 minutes.

Tool Collection: Players pick up tools to aid in defeating threats.

Rubble Removal: Players remove rubble to access scientists and defeat threats.

Threat Management: The app announces the appearance and movement of threats.

Trading Tools: Players can trade tools when on the same space.

Objective: Defeat all threats before the time runs out.

Player Experience

Last Defense offers a fast-paced and easy-to-learn experience, making it accessible to new players. However, it may lack the depth and strategy that experienced players of cooperative games are accustomed to. The game’s setup and gameplay are streamlined, with the app handling much of the complexity, such as randomizing threat placements and keeping track of the timer.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules and quick setup.

Short Playtime: Games are over in 20 minutes.

Quality Components: Nice artwork and well-designed components.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players as young as 8 years old.

Fun Theme: Players save the city from various monstrous threats.

Cons

Lack of Character Variability: Characters do not have unique abilities or actions.

Limited Strategy: The game can feel more like matching tokens rather than strategic play.

App Dependency: Some players might find the app integration a bit cumbersome.

Sound Issues: Some users have reported sound problems with the app.

Personal Thoughts on Last Defense!

Last Defense is an excellent introduction to cooperative games, especially for families or new gamers. It offers a fun, fast-paced experience with minimal rules overhead. However, for experienced cooperative game players, it may not provide the level of strategy and character variability they are looking for. If you’re seeking a quick, cooperative game for family game nights or as a stepping stone into more complex cooperative games, Last Defense is a solid choice.

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.