Terror Below (2019) Board Game

Terror Below is a board game released in 2019 that combines elements of horror and science fiction. Designed by Eric Hibbeler and published by Renegade Game Studios, the game is designed for 1-5 players, with a best player count of

Players take on the roles of survivalists in a small town overrun by giant sandworms. With a runtime of 45-60 minutes and suitable for players aged 10 and up, Terror Below offers an immersive gameplay experience.

Game Components of Terror Below

Worm standees: Used to create ambiance on the board.

Player tokens: Representing the players as they navigate the game.

Worm deck: Contains cards that introduce new worms into the game.

Target tokens: Matched with the worms to indicate their presence.

Victory point tokens: Used to track players’ progress.

Game board: Depicting the town and various locations.

How To Setup Terror Below

To set up the game, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a token and places it at the starting location. The Worm deck is shuffled, and a Worm is drawn and placed in the lowest-numbered slot in the Terror zone. The matching-numbered Target token is then placed on the board. Players receive their starting resources and equipment, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Deck building: Players collect and use cards to manage worms and resources.

Resource management: Players must manage their resources effectively to achieve goals.

Area control: Players compete to control areas on the board.

Game Objective

The goal is to be the first player to score 20 victory points (VP) by collecting worm eggs and delivering them to designated locations around town.

Player Experience

Playing Terror Below can be a mixed experience. The game offers a unique setting and interesting mechanics, such as managing resources and dealing with the unpredictable appearance of worms. However, some players have found the components, particularly the worm standees and player tokens, to be of poor quality.

Pros

Unique theme: The game’s setting of government experiments gone wrong adds a thrilling element.

Strategic depth: Players need to manage resources and plan carefully to succeed.

Variable gameplay: The random draw of worms adds unpredictability to each game.

Cons

Poor component quality: Some players have complained about the quality of the worm standees and player tokens.

Ambiance issues: The worm standees intended to enhance ambiance have been criticized for being poorly made.

Personal Thoughts on Terror Below

Terror Below is a game suited for fans of strategic board games who enjoy resource management and area control mechanics. While it offers a unique and engaging theme, the game’s execution, particularly in terms of component quality, may fall short for some players. It is best for those who can overlook minor flaws in favor of a challenging and unpredictable gameplay experience.

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