Shadows of Brimstone: Swamps of Death is an expansion for the base game Shadows of Brimstone, which was released in 2014 by Flying Frog Productions. The game is set in a dark and twisted world where players must explore dangerous mines filled with unspeakable horrors. The Swamps of Death expansion adds new challenges, enemies, and locations for players to navigate through.
Game Components of Shadows of Brimstone: Swamps of Death
Miniatures: Heroes and various monstersModular Board: Interchangeable tiles for the mine and otherworldly locationsCards: Thematic cards for items, events, and encountersDice: Used for movement, combat, and other actionsRulebook: Detailed rules for gameplayToken and Counters: For tracking health, experience, and other game statesFigure Paints and Accessories: Optional for customization
How To Setup Shadows of Brimstone: Swamps of Death
Setting up the game involves several steps:
Assemble the modular board by randomly placing tiles to create the mine and otherworldly environments.Choose and prepare the hero miniatures and their starting equipment.Shuffle and prepare the various card decks (items, events, encounters).Determine the starting location and objectives based on the chosen scenario.Each player selects a hero and places their miniatures on the starting tile.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Cooperative Play: Players work together to explore mines and otherworldly locations.Dice Rolling: Used for movement, combat, and resolving various encounters.Grid Movement: Players move their heroes through the modular board.Role Playing: Heroes gain experience and level up, improving their abilities.Variable Player Powers: Each hero has unique abilities and strengths.Objective: The primary goal is to explore, fight monsters, gather loot, and survive the horrors within the mines and other worlds.
Player Experience
The game offers a fun, old-school dungeon-crawl experience reminiscent of classic RPGs like D&D. Players enjoy the thematic artwork, the excitement of dice rolling, and the thrill of exploring unknown environments. However, some players find the game mechanics to be somewhat basic, with a reliance on luck rather than strategic decision-making. The game is highly thematic, with a strong focus on the wild-west-meets-horror setting, which can be a major draw for fans of this genre.
Pros
Thematic Artwork: Excellent artwork that brings the wild-west-horror theme to life.High Replayability: Modular board and random card draws ensure different experiences each game.Cooperative Fun: Great for playing with friends or solo.Leveling Up: Heroes can gain experience and level up, adding a role-playing element.
Cons
Basic Game Mechanics: Some players find the game mechanics too simple and reliant on luck.Dice Fest: The game involves a lot of dice rolling, which can be tedious for some.Poorly Handled Kickstarter: The original Kickstarter was criticized for its management.Repeated Content: The core sets have some repeated content, which could have been optimized.
Personal Thoughts on Shadows of Brimstone: Swamps of Death
**Shadows of Brimstone: Swamps of Death** is ideal for fans of cooperative dungeon-crawls and those who enjoy a mix of old-west and horror themes. It’s a great choice for players looking for a fun, thematic experience rather than complex strategic gameplay. While it may not replace more in-depth RPGs, it offers a satisfying and entertaining experience, especially for those who enjoy the nostalgic feel of old-school gaming. However, players seeking more intricate game mechanics might find it lacking.
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.
