Marvel: Age of Heroes (2023) Board Game

Marvel: Age of Heroes is a board game set to be released in 2023 by WizKids. It is a hand management and worker placement game that is designed for 2 to 5 players. The game is based on the Marvel Universe and features iconic characters from the comic books.

Game Components of Marvel: Age of Heroes

36 Acrylic Hero Pawns

1 Game Board

8 Mission Tiles

34 Villain Tiles

86 Institute Cards

60 Evolution Cards

2 Extraction Zone Tiles

6 Player Boards

1 Round Marker

6 Score Tokens

15 Villain Tokens

1 Magneto’s Influence Token

4 Horsemen Effects Tokens

30 Resource Tokens

10 Victory Point Tokens

5 Score Markers

15 Resource Markers

75 Player Markers

20 Student Pawns

1 Rulebook.

How To Setup Marvel: Age of Heroes

To set up the game, players first select their pair of X-Men heroes, each with unique starting resources and asymmetric abilities. The game board is arranged with the Institute and Mission areas. Players place their heroes on their player boards and prepare the Institute Deck, which includes Ally cards, Event cards, and Team-Up cards. The villains and mission tiles are set up according to the chosen scenario, and each player receives their starting resources and Evolution cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Worker Placement: Players place their heroes on action spaces in the Institute phase to gather resources, draw cards, or play cards.

Resource Management: Players manage three types of resources: Physical, Mental, and Willpower.

Card Play: Players use Event cards, Ally cards, and Team-Up cards to gain benefits and damage villains.

Mission Phase: Heroes sent to the X-Jet participate in missions to damage villains and earn victory points.

Game Objective

The objective is to defeat villains by damaging their slots, which grants victory points. The game ends after defeating a set number of villains, and the player with the most victory points wins.

Player Experience

Playing Marvel: Age of Heroes is a complex yet engaging experience. The game starts with a simple worker placement mechanic but evolves as players introduce Ally cards and Team-Up cards, creating new action spaces and strategies. Each character duo has unique powers and Evolution cards, adding a layer of customization and replayability. However, the game can feel lengthy, especially with five players, and the thematic integration is sometimes inconsistent.

Pros

High Replayability: Different Ally and Team-Up cards, unique character powers, and random villain setups ensure each game is distinct.

Deep Strategy: The combination of worker placement, resource management, and card play offers a rich strategic experience.

Thematic Elements: Evolution cards and character abilities tie well into the X-Men theme.

Interaction: Players benefit from using each other’s Ally cards, adding a social element to the game.

Cons

Lengthy Gameplay: Games can overstay their welcome, especially with five players.

Player Scaling Issues: The addition of a fifth player increases the total number of Hero pieces, leading to more downtime and longer game sessions.

Rulebook Clarity: The rulebook can be confusing, particularly regarding player scaling.

Thematic Consistency: Some elements feel pasted on, detracting from the overall thematic experience.

Personal Thoughts on Marvel: Age of Heroes

Marvel: Age of Heroes is ideal for fans of complex strategy games and the X-Men franchise. It offers a deep and engaging experience with high replay value, making it a great choice for those who enjoy worker placement and resource management mechanics. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity and potential length. For those who enjoy games like Lords of Waterdeep and are looking for a fresh take with a strong theme, Marvel: Age of Heroes is definitely worth exploring.

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