Mechs vs. Minions (2016) Board Game

Mechs vs. Minions is a cooperative tabletop game released in 2016 by Riot Games, the company behind the popular online game League of Legends. The game was designed by a team of industry veterans and features a unique blend of strategy, teamwork, and chaos.

Game Components of Mechs vs. Minions

Command Line: A storage for each player’s command cards.

Command Cards: Cards players use to program their mechs.

Damage Cards: Penalty cards for taking damage, which can have immediate or ongoing effects.

Crystal Shards, Bombs, Lava Wall Cardboard: Various objectives and obstacles.

Map Tiles: Cardboard tiles that form the game map.

Mechs: Player-controlled units, represented by four painted mech miniatures (Corki, Tristana, Heimerdinger, and Ziggs).

Minions: The main enemies of the game.

Ability and Damage Decks: Decks containing various abilities and damage effects.

Sand Timer: Used for timing certain aspects of the game.

How To Setup Mechs vs. Minions

To set up Mechs vs. Minions, players start by arranging the map tiles to form the mission-specific map. Each player selects a mech and places it on the designated starting position. The command lines are distributed, and the command cards are shuffled and prepared for drafting. The mission objectives, such as bombs, crystal shards, or lava walls, are placed according to the mission requirements. Minions are set up in their starting positions, and the damage deck is prepared. The game includes a detailed mission booklet that outlines the specific setup for each of the ten missions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together to achieve mission goals.

Programmatic Movement: Players draft and execute command cards in a specific order to control their mechs.

Command Line Management: Players manage their command lines by adding, overwriting, or scrapping cards.

Minion Movement and Spawn: Minions move and spawn according to specific rules, posing a constant threat to the players.

Damage and Glitches: Players receive damage cards when hit by minions, which can disrupt their commands.

Objective-Based Missions: Each mission has unique objectives, such as moving a bomb to a portal or collecting crystal shards while defending against minions.

Player Experience

Playing Mechs vs. Minions is a frantic and often comedic experience. Players must carefully plan and execute their commands, but the game’s unpredictability, especially from minion movements and damage cards, can quickly turn well-laid plans into chaos. The game requires strong teamwork and communication, as players need to coordinate their actions to succeed. Despite the challenges, the game’s escalating power levels and increasing difficulty make for an engaging and dynamic experience.

Pros

High Production Value: The game is praised for its excellent components and value for money.

Innovative Mechanics: The combination of programmatic movement and cooperative play is highly innovative and engaging.

Cooperative Challenge: The game provides a strong cooperative experience that requires teamwork and strategy.

Multi-Language Support: Available in English, German, and Simplified Chinese, with plans for more languages.

Community Support: Players can create and share their own campaigns, extending the game’s replayability.

Cons

Low Replayability: Once all campaigns are completed, the game’s replayability is limited unless players create their own missions.

Complex Setup: Each mission has a unique setup, which can be time-consuming and complex.

Physical Accessibility Issues: The game requires a lot of physical manipulation, which can be challenging for players with certain disabilities.

Personal Thoughts on Mechs vs. Minions

Mechs vs. Minions is ideal for players who enjoy cooperative games with a strong focus on strategy and teamwork. It suits those who appreciate programmatic movement and are willing to handle the unpredictability and chaos that comes with it. The game is particularly great for fans of the League of Legends universe, offering a unique and engaging experience within that world. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking a game with high replayability or those who prefer more straightforward, less physically demanding games.

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