Underlings of Underwing (2017) Board Game

Underlings of Underwing is a board game that was released in 2017 and designed by Stephen Slota and Alisha Volkman. The game falls under the educational and fantasy categories and includes mechanics such as set collection, trading, and worker placement. The game is suitable for 1–6 players with a best player count of 3–4, and has a runtime of 30–60 minutes. The artwork for the game was done by The Pericles Group, LLC.

Game Components of Underlings of Underwing

Colored crystals (gemstones)

Dragon eggs with specific color requirements

Worker meeples (handlers)

Dragon egg cards

Crystals bag for blind drawing

Player aids and components for tracking progress

How To Setup Underlings of Underwing

To set up the game, players first prepare the Hatching Grounds by laying out the dragon eggs, each with its unique color requirements. The crystals bag is filled with the colored gemstones, and each player receives their worker meeples. The game is played over 18 days, with each day involving gathering crystals, placing workers, and attempting to hatch dragons.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players place their worker meeples to gather crystals or to supervise dragon eggs.

Resource Management: Managing colored crystals to meet the specific color requirements of each dragon egg.

Color Theory: Combining primary colors to form secondary colors (e.g., red and blue to form purple).

Game Objective: Hatch the most valuable dragons by ensuring your workers are stationed at the right eggs when they hatch.

Game Duration: Played over 18 days, with each day consisting of crystal gathering, worker placement, and dragon hatching.

Player Experience

Underlings of Underwing offers a dynamic and engaging experience for one to six players. The game is praised for its clear player aids and enjoyable components, such as the colorful crystals and meeples. It supports various player counts effectively, including two-player games, and is particularly competitive with six players.

Pros

Educational Twist: Incorporates color theory in a fun and interactive way.

High Replayability: With sixteen different dragon eggs available and the ability to combine colors, each game offers unique challenges.

Engaging Components: The game features appealing art and rewarding gameplay mechanics.

Balanced Mechanics: The rules have been adjusted to prevent runaway leader problems.

Cons

Initial Runaway Leader Issue: Originally, one player could gain too many handlers, but this has been resolved with updated rules.

Personal Thoughts on Underlings of Underwing

Underlings of Underwing is a fantastic game for gamers of all sorts, especially those who enjoy worker placement, resource management, and set collection. It is ideal for families and groups looking for a game that is both educational and entertaining. The game’s appeal lies in its compelling dragon theme, rewarding gameplay, and the variety of color combinations required to hatch the dragons. Whether you’re a casual gamer or an experienced player, Underlings of Underwing offers a fun and challenging experience.

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