The Goonies: Never Say Die board game is based on the iconic 1985 adventure film “The Goonies” directed by Richard Donner. The game captures the spirit of the movie as players take on the roles of the Goonies characters, searching for treasure while avoiding traps and enemies. Released in 2021 by Funko Games, this cooperative game is designed by Prospero Hall and Chris Rowlands, with artwork by Eric Hibbeler and Henning Ludvigsen.
Game Components of The Goonies: Never Say Die
Miniatures: Includes eight beautifully sculpted miniatures of Mikey, Mouth, Chunk, Data, Sloth, the Giant Octopus, the Fratellis, and One-Eyed Willie.Adventure Guide: A secret adventure guide for the GM to prepare the board.Character Cards: Each Goonie has unique abilities and strengths.Teenager Cards: Representing the teenagers from the movie, these cards can be used as one-time abilities or automatic successes.Dice: Custom dice that can be upgraded using wish tokens.GM Screen: A screen for the GM to hide the Scenario Book and track game progress.Scenario Book: Contains nine adventures, including three based on the original story and six new scenarios.Tokens and Cards: Various tokens for tracking health, time, and wishes, along with GM cards for adding dangers and challenges.
How To Setup The Goonies: Never Say Die
To set up the game, the GM prepares the board using the secret adventure guide, setting up the rooms and challenges based on the chosen scenario. The players select their Goonie characters, each with their unique abilities. The GM uses the GM screen to keep the scenario details hidden from the players.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
One-vs-All: One player acts as the Goondocks Master (GM) while the others play as the Goonies.Scenario-Driven: Each scenario has specific goals and challenges.Room Exploration: Players explore rooms, search for items, and encounter enemies.Skill Checks: Players roll custom dice to resolve conflicts, which can be upgraded using wish tokens.GM Actions: The GM activates enemies, spawns new challenges, and draws cards to impede the Goonies’ progress.Time Mechanic: The hourglass tracks time; when a Goonie reaches zero health, time is wasted instead of the Goonie dying.Campaign Mode: The game includes a campaign with simple rules to keep the adventure going across multiple scenarios.
Player Experience
Playing **The Goonies: Never Say Die** is a tense yet fun adventure. The game requires strategic teamwork among the players, as each Goonie has unique strengths and weaknesses. For example, Mikey is excellent at searching, while Sloth excels in combat. The GM’s role is to hinder the Goonies’ progress by revealing hazards and enemies, making the game feel like an interactive storytelling experience.
Pros
Strong Theme: The game closely follows the theme of the movie, appealing to fans of the original film.Outstanding Artwork: Beautifully illustrated components, including the board, cards, and miniatures.Straightforward Rules: Once initial setup is complete, the rules are easy to follow.Variety in Goals: Each scenario offers different objectives and challenges.Functional Components: Well-designed components that enhance gameplay.
Cons
Game Mechanics Aren’t Dynamic: The game mechanics, while enjoyable, are not particularly innovative.Replay Value: Replaying the same adventures with the same group can be less interesting.
Personal Thoughts on The Goonies: Never Say Die
**The Goonies: Never Say Die** is perfect for fans of the classic movie and those who enjoy cooperative adventure games. It’s a great family RPG in a box, Suitable for both new and veteran gamers, although more experienced players may need to take on the GM role initially. The game’s nostalgia factor is high, making it especially enjoyable for those who grew up with the movie. However, the game’s appeal may be reduced for those not familiar with the film.
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