Ruination (2021) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ruination is a strategic board game that was released in 2021 by designers Chris Byer and Roland MacDonald. Published by Kolossal Games, Ruination is a game that combines elements of card drafting, area control, and dice rolling. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where factions battle for dominance, players must use their resources wisely to expand their influence and overcome their opponents.

Game Components of Ruination

Game board featuring a post-apocalyptic map

Miniatures representing different factions

Resource tokens

Action cards

Dice for combat resolution

Victory point tokens

Reroll tokens

Upgrade and exile cards

How To Setup Ruination

To set up Ruination, players first place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a faction and places their starting miniatures on designated territories. Players receive a set of action cards and resource tokens. The resource tokens are distributed according to the starting territories, which provide three out of the four available resources. The remaining resources are available in the central caldera of the map.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Action Selection: Players perform three actions – move, recruit, or scavenge – using action cards that offer various options and bonuses.

Resource Management: Players collect and manage four types of resources to upgrade their units, recruit new ones, and perform other actions.

Combat Resolution: Combat is resolved using dice rolls, with the goal of inflicting casualties on opponents and earning victory points.

Area Control: Players control territories on the map to gain resources and victory points.

Game Objective:

The objective is to gain the most victory points by controlling territories, winning combats, and efficiently managing resources.

Player Experience

Playing Ruination can be a mixed bag. On one hand, the game offers a vibrant and immersive post-apocalyptic setting with thick miniatures and engaging combat mechanics. However, the resource system can be annoying and restrictive, often making combat feel perfunctory and slow. Despite this, players can still have fun, especially when playing with friends and making light of the game’s mechanics.

Pros

Vibrant Setting: The game features a colorful and engaging post-apocalyptic world.

Simple Action System: The three-action system (move, recruit, scavenge) is easy to learn.

Combat Mechanics: Dice rolling adds an element of unpredictability to combat.

Social Fun: Playing with friends can enhance the experience, even with its flaws.

Cons

Restrictive Resource System: The resource system can be frustrating, especially when trying to collect specific resources.

Slow Combat: Combat often requires multiple rounds, making it feel prolonged.

Lack of Innovation: The game does not significantly improve upon its genre peers.

Less Engaging Endgame: The endgame triggers and victory point system, while improved, still lack the elegance and immediacy of other games.

Personal Thoughts on Ruination

Ruination is for fans of ‘dudes on a map’ games who enjoy post-apocalyptic themes and are not looking for a highly complex or innovative gameplay experience. While it may not stand out from its peers, it can still provide a fun, if somewhat flawed, experience when played with friends. However, players seeking more strategic depth or faster-paced combat might find themselves preferring other games in the same genre.

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