Path of Light and Shadow (2017) Board Game

Path of Light and Shadow is a board game that was released in 2017 by Action Phase Games. Designed by Travis R. Chance, Jonathan Gilmour, and Nick Little, this game falls into the categories of Civilization, Fantasy, Medieval, and Territory Building. With beautiful artwork by Beth Sobel and Daniel Solis, Path of Light and Shadow offers players a rich and immersive gaming experience.

Game Components of Path of Light and Shadow

Modular plastic tower pieces

Player boards

Territory tiles

Character cards

Building cards

Dice

Morality track tokens

Leader tokens

Resource icons (hammers and swords)

How To Setup Path of Light and Shadow

To set up the game, players first prepare the board by laying out the territory tiles and provinces. Each player selects a leader and receives a starting deck of character cards and a player board. The tech trees and building cards are also prepared according to the rules. The game is set in a world where the tyrant Queen has seized the throne, and players must gather their forces and resources to reclaim the realms.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Control: Players fight to control provinces and realms on the board.

Deck Management: Players build and customize their decks by recruiting new followers and upgrading cards.

Civilization Customization: Players develop their tech trees by unlocking special powers and buildings.

Morality Track: Players choose between a Cruelty or Mercy alignment, influencing their strategy and card powers.

Objective: The goal is to score the highest points by controlling provinces, building structures, and managing followers over 12 rounds of play.

Player Experience

Path of Light and Shadow offers a rich and engaging experience with deep strategic choices. Players must balance deck evolution, tech tree advancements, and area control. The game features a unique morality system, where choices between cruelty and mercy affect gameplay and card abilities. Each game feels different due to the randomized deck draws and the diverse strategies available.

Pros

High Replayability: Multiple paths to victory and randomized deck draws ensure high replayability.

Deep Strategic Depth: Combines deck-building, area control, and tech tree advancements, offering many strategic options.

Smooth Player Interaction: Resource management and player actions are relatively smooth and engaging.

Morality System: Adds a unique layer of strategy and role-playing element.

Solid Game Design: Well-tested and polished mechanics.

Cons

Complexity: Can be overwhelming for new players due to the multiple mechanics involved.

Luck Elements: Battling involves dice rolling, which can introduce elements of luck.

Personal Thoughts on Path of Light and Shadow

Path of Light and Shadow is ideal for fans of area control and deck-building games who enjoy complex, strategic gameplay. It is best suited for players looking for a game with high replayability and deep strategic depth. While it may have a learning curve, the game’s unique mechanics and engaging gameplay make it a compelling addition to any board game collection. If you enjoy games like Tyrants of the Underdark but are looking for something with more diverse strategic choices, Path of Light and Shadow is definitely worth considering.

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