The Boys: This Is Going to Hurt (2022) Board Game

The Boys: This Is Going to Hurt is a board game based on the popular comic book series “The Boys” created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The game is designed by Nick Accardi and Darick Robertson, and published by 1First Games. It is set in the same world as the comic book series, where players take on the roles of covert agents working to take down corrupt superheroes.

Game Components of The Boys: This Is Going to Hurt

Player Boards: Six identical boards with different artwork, used to track bonuses and place admission cards.

Dice: Used for combat and recruiting characters.

Character Cards: Beta and Alpha characters, including members of The Boys and The Seven.

Resource Cards: For managing resources and actions.

Homelander Card: Represents the main antagonist, with increasing health points as the game progresses.

Rule Book: Detailed instructions for setup and gameplay.

Game Board: A central board where players move and interact.

How To Setup The Boys: This Is Going to Hurt

Setup involves each player choosing a player board and placing it in front of them. The game board is set up in the middle, and the Homelander card is placed at the center. Players start with a set of resource cards and begin recruiting beta characters to build their superhero team.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Number of Players: 2-5 players.

Objective: Players must build a superhero team to defeat Homelander, who becomes stronger as the game progresses.

Combat Mechanics: Players use dice rolling to recruit and fight characters.

Resource Management: Players manage resource cards to perform actions and recruit characters.

Action Points: Each player has three action points per turn to move, recruit characters, or fight Homelander.

Team Building: Players start with beta characters and aim to recruit more powerful alpha characters.

Player Experience

The game offers a unique blend of team building and combat, with a strong focus on the IP of The Boys. While it may not be the most solidly designed game, fans of the series will appreciate the artwork and character interactions. The gameplay is straightforward but involves significant dice rolling, which can be a point of enjoyment or frustration for players.

Pros

Faithfulness to IP: The game stays true to the comic book series, appealing to fans of The Boys.

Engaging Team Building: Players must strategize to build the best team to defeat Homelander.

Interactive Gameplay: Combative and competitive elements keep the game engaging and dynamic.

Cons

Dice Rolling: Heavy reliance on dice rolling can be off-putting for some players.

Complexity: While the gameplay is straightforward, the game is not as solidly designed as other board games.

Length: The game can become longer as Homelander’s strength increases, requiring more resources and dice rolls to defeat him.

Personal Thoughts on The Boys: This Is Going to Hurt

This game is strictly for fans of The Boys, whether from the comic series or the TV show. The artwork and character interactions will resonate well with those familiar with the IP. However, for players looking for a more complex or strategically deep game, this might not be the best choice. It offers a fun, if somewhat unpredictable, experience due to the dice rolling mechanics.

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