Unbroken (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Unbroken is a solo card game set in a dark fantasy world where the player takes on the role of a survivor trying to navigate through a series of dangerous encounters. Released in 2018, the game has gained popularity for its challenging gameplay and immersive narrative experience.

Game Components of Unbroken

Display sheets to track time, exertion, items, and monster health

Character sheets with unique class abilities

Monster sheets detailing abilities, weaknesses, and rewards

Decks of cards: skill cards, encounter cards, and condition cards

Weapon sheets with crafting costs and stats

A single six-sided die

Small wooden cubes

How To Setup Unbroken

Setting up Unbroken is straightforward. Start by arranging the monster sheets in stacks by their Roman numerals and placing them face down. Stack the weapon sheets with “Bare Hands” on top. Place the other sheets with wooden cubes at their starting positions. Shuffle the skill, encounter, and condition card decks, except for the condition cards which are placed face up. Finally, choose a character sheet at random or select your favorite one to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Survival Mechanic: Gather resources to survive and craft weapons.

Combat Phase: Includes ambush, trickery, and battle steps.

Time Management: Use time wisely to gather intel, find food, and prepare for challenges.

Resource Management: Manage effort and food to avoid starvation.

Dice Rolling: Use a six-sided die for random combat outcomes.

Objective: Survive four deadly levels of exploration and combat to escape the dungeon and defeat the final boss.

Player Experience

Unbroken offers a highly strategic and replayable experience. Players must balance resource gathering, combat strategy, and survival mechanics to progress. The game’s design ensures a tense and challenging journey, with random dice rolls and diverse monster encounters keeping each playthrough unique. The sense of loneliness and the need for vengeance add depth to the game’s theme.

Pros

High Replayability: Four different heroes and 20 different monsters ensure varied playthroughs.

Strategic Depth: Easy to learn but hard to master, requiring careful resource management.

Award-Winning: Won Tentaccolade’s 2018 Best Game and nominated for other awards.

Quality Components: Sturdy box, durable components, and beautifully crafted cards.

Engaging Theme: Dark fantasy setting with a compelling narrative of survival and revenge.

Cons

Challenging: Can be frustrating due to the high difficulty level.

Randomness: Dice rolls can lead to unpredictable outcomes, which may not appeal to all players.

Steep Learning Curve: While the setup is easy, mastering the game takes time.

Personal Thoughts on Unbroken

Unbroken is perfect for solo gamers who enjoy a challenge and are looking for a game that is both strategic and immersive. It caters to those who appreciate the loneliness and survival aspects of a dark fantasy setting. However, it may not be ideal for players who prefer easier or more predictable gameplay. Overall, Unbroken is a standout in the solo game category, offering a rich and engaging experience for those willing to take on the challenge.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.