The Others (2016) Board Game

The Others is a horror-themed board game released in 2016 by Cool Mini Or Not. Designed by Eric M. Lang, this game pits players against one another in a battle between the corrupting forces of the apocalypse and a team of heroes trying to save the world.

Game Components of The Others

47 highly-detailed miniatures

10 city tiles

6 boards for the Sins players

8 hero dashboards

7 story boards

70 cards

88 cardboard tokens

27 sculpted plastic tokens

8 colored bases

14 custom dice

1 rulebook

How To Setup The Others

To set up the game, players first choose which Sin and its associated minions will be the antagonists. The city map is then constructed using the city tiles, and each player selects a hero and sets up their dashboard. The Sin player prepares their boards and minions, while the F.A.I.T.H. players receive their mission objectives. The game comes with multiple story boards, allowing for varied setups and missions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Narrative Driven: Each mission has different goals and storylines.

Modular Board: City tiles create a different map each game.

Asymmetric Play: One player controls the Sin, while others play as F.A.I.T.H. heroes.

Reactive System: The Sin player reacts to hero actions without a specific turn.

Game Objective

Sin Player: Spread death and corruption to achieve victory.

F.A.I.T.H. Players: Complete missions and stop the Sin’s rampage to save the world.

Player Experience

Playing The Others is a dynamic and engaging experience, with a strong focus on teamwork for the F.A.I.T.H. players and strategic manipulation for the Sin player. The game’s narrative and modular components ensure high replayability, with each game presenting different challenges and stories. However, the balance can be affected if the Sin player is significantly more skilled or less skilled than the F.A.I.T.H. players.

Pros

High Replay Value: Multiple missions, sins, and heroes ensure varied gameplay.

Detailed Miniatures: The figures are highly detailed and considered a major Selling point.

Engaging Mechanics: The reactive system adds uncertainty and excitement to the game.

Customizable: Players can choose different sins and heroes, and the map setup varies each game.

Cons

Balance Issues: The game can be one-sided if the Sin player’s skill level is significantly different from the F.A.I.T.H. players.

Complex Setup: While not hard to learn, the sequence of play takes some getting used to.

Initial Intimidation: New players may find the game a bit overwhelming at first.

Personal Thoughts on The Others

The Others is ideal for those who enjoy cooperative games with a twist of asymmetric play. It’s perfect for groups of 2-5 players looking for a challenging and highly replayable experience. The game’s horror theme and detailed miniatures add to its appeal, making it a standout in any board game collection. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking a quick, simple game or those who are easily frustrated by imbalance in gameplay.

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