Small World Underground (2011) Board Game

Small World Underground is a standalone game set in the Small World universe, created by Philippe Keyaerts and published by Days of Wonder in in 2011. It is a fantasy board game that builds upon the popular gameplay mechanics of the original Small World game, but introduces new races, powers, and locations underground.

Game Components of Small World Underground

Game Boards: 2 double-sided boards for different player configurations.

Races: 15 new fantasy races with matching banners and tokens.

Special Powers: 21 new special power badges.

Places and Relics: 9 popular places and 6 righteous relics.

Terrain: 9 black mountains and 1 volcano.

Markers and Tokens: 8 mushroom armor, 7 silver hammer, 4 vengeance markers, 1 bag-o’-many-things, and 1 game turn marker.

Monsters: 1 balrog, 1 ghost, 1 great ancient, and 1 queen.

Victory Coins: 106 coins.

Player and Game Turn Summary Sheets: 5 player sheets and 1 game turn summary sheet.

Reinforcement Die: 1 die.

Rules Booklet: Includes game rules.

How To Setup Small World Underground

To set up the game, players start by choosing the appropriate double-sided game board based on the number of players (2-5). Each player selects a fantasy race and its corresponding special power badges. The board is populated with monster-occupied regions, places, relics, and terrain features. Players receive their race tokens, banners, and any starting special power badges. The game turn marker and victory coins are also distributed accordingly.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Control: Players compete to control regions on the board.

Resource Management: Manage victory coins and special power badges.

Variable Player Powers: Each race and special power has unique abilities.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most victory coins by controlling regions, defeating monsters, and collecting relics and places.

Player Experience

Small World Underground offers a dynamic and interactive experience with a mix of strategy and luck. Players must balance their resource management with the need to expand their territory and defend against other players. The new monster-occupied regions add an extra layer of challenge and opportunity, as defeating these monsters can yield significant rewards.

Pros

High Replayability: With numerous race and special power combinations, each game is unique.

Engaging Mechanics: The game combines area control, resource management, and variable player powers effectively.

Thematic Depth: The underground setting adds a new dimension to the Small World universe.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Cons

Complexity: New players may find the rules and setup somewhat complex.

Length: Games can last between 30-90 minutes, which may be too long for some players.

Luck Factor: The presence of monsters and special powers can introduce a significant element of luck.

Personal Thoughts on Small World Underground

Small World Underground is ideal for fans of the original Small World game and those who enjoy area control and resource management mechanics. It is a great addition to any board game collection, offering a fresh spin on familiar gameplay. New players may need some time to adjust to the rules, but the game’s light-hearted and fun nature makes it accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of players.

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