Talisman: Kingdom Hearts (2019) Board Game

Talisman: Kingdom Hearts is a board game that was released in 2019, designed by Ben Zweifel and featuring artwork by The Op Games. It combines the classic gameplay of the Talisman series with the beloved characters and world of the Kingdom Hearts video game franchise. With a focus on adventure, exploration, fantasy, fighting, and a video game theme, this game brings a unique twist to the Talisman universe.

Game Components of Talisman: Kingdom Hearts

1 Game Board

102 Adventure Cards

30 pairs of Adventure Card Tokens

22 Spell Cards

6 Stat Boards with Health, Strength, and Magic Dials

36 Fate Tokens

28 Purchase Cards

4 Keyblade Cards

11 Character Cards

11 Plastic Figures: Sora, Kairi, Ventus, Donald, Mickey, Xion, Riku, Goofy, Aqua, Terra, Mulan

4 Heartless Character Cards

30 Munny

Two 6-sided Dice.

How To Setup Talisman: Kingdom Hearts

To set up the game, follow the instructions in the rulebook. Each player is either dealt a character at random or chooses from the 11 available characters. The large game board is placed on the table, and the decks of cards are shuffled and stacked nearby. Object cards are separated by type and placed face-up near the Keyblade cards. Players adjust their Stat Dials to match the starting stats on their character cards, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Number of Players: 2-6 players.

Game Category: Semi-cooperative, competitive roll-and-move game.

Game Length: 60-90 minutes.

Objective: Players aim to acquire the necessary Strength and Magic to seal the Door to Darkness and stop the Heartless from consuming the worlds.

Gameplay Phases: Each turn consists of two phases – Movement and Encounters.

Movement Phase: Players roll a 6-sided die and move the corresponding number of spaces clockwise or counter-clockwise in the Outer and Middle Regions. In the Inner Region, players move one space at a time without rolling.

Encounters Phase: Players draw Adventure Cards, fight enemies, recruit followers, or obtain items based on the space they land on.

Combat Mechanics: Combat is resolved by adding the player’s base Strength or Magic stat to the result of a die roll and comparing it to the enemy’s stat plus their roll.

Victory Points: Players earn points for various achievements, including the number of cards collected, their final position on the board, and stat differentials. The player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

Players take on the roles of iconic Kingdom Hearts characters, navigating through familiar locations like Destiny Islands, Neverland, and Traverse Town. The game is fast-paced and fun, with turns lasting no more than two minutes. Players can collect items, spells, and followers to aid them in their quest. The unique special abilities of each character add a layer of depth to the gameplay. The game’s theme and art are highly praised, making it enjoyable even for those who typically do not like roll-and-move games.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The Kingdom Hearts theme is well-implemented, making the game appealing to fans of the series.

Fast-Paced Turns: Turns are quick, keeping the game dynamic and engaging.

Unique Characters: Each character has special abilities, adding variety to gameplay.

Family-Friendly: The rules are relatively light, making it accessible to a wide range of players, including families.

Cons

Roll-And-Move Mechanics: Some players may find the roll-and-move mechanics repetitive or frustrating, especially when trying to land on specific spaces.

Luck-Based Combat: Combat is largely based on dice rolls, which can lead to unpredictable outcomes and frustration.

Personal Thoughts on Talisman: Kingdom Hearts

**Talisman: Kingdom Hearts** is ideal for fans of the Kingdom Hearts series and those who enjoy semi-cooperative, competitive games. It’s a great option for families and groups of friends looking for a fun, themed board game. Despite some mechanics that may feel repetitive or luck-based, the game’s engaging theme, fast-paced gameplay, and unique character abilities make it a worthwhile experience for many players.

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