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Purple Phoenix Games (2266 KP) rated Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle in Tabletop Games

Jun 12, 2019

Yer a deck-builder, Harry. So many times we gamers are “treated” to really horrible games based on IPs (intellectual properties). For some reason, designers and publishers seem to care about getting games in hands that have a certain brand or logo on them, and don’t really care about the game itself. So we were a bit skeptical of a deck-builder, from USAopoly, that was based on a well-loved IP, in a kinda boring box, that uses movie stills for the art on the cards. As you can see by the scores given, we were split.

Okay, I am going to admit, the way the game is setup is both very cool and very off-putting. You see, you open the box and are instructed to start with the contents of the Game 1 box if you are new to deck-building, or if you want to experience the game incrementally. We chose to enjoy the game box by box. Now, this is a great way to teach deck-building concepts slowly and to ease the players into the game. We are not deck-building novices, however, and we probably should have start at Game 4 box, as the instructions suggest. Let me explain:

Game 1-3 boxes add more cards to the game, but don’t really increase the difficulty by much at all. It’s only once you delve into the Game 4-7 boxes does the experience change, and for the better. I fear Josh and Bryan’s scores reflect games played only with the components from Game 1-3 boxes, and I do understand their feeling of being underwhelmed. I have encouraged them to try the game again using more advanced box components, so this game may (hopefully) be receiving a score update.

That being said, I will speak of my thoughts on the game as I have played it. It’s really great. The game just ramps up much more the more component boxes you add into it, and you don’t even need to purchase the expansion for a great game experience. In fact, I have not yet added the expansion materials to my copy yet. I am somewhat afraid (but I do love Luna…). I love deck-building, and I love the components that are added in the later games (no spoilers) that make it more than just a deck-builder. The theme is certainly apparent, and if you are a fan of the franchise wanting a meatier Harry Potter experience, you definitely want to sink your basilisk fangs into this one.

We at Purple Phoenix Games give this title a tentative score of 16 / 24.

https://purplephoenixgames.wordpress.com/2018/12/12/harry-potter-hogwarts-battle-review/

Kudos

LettieDC (17 KP) rated Dinosaur Island in Tabletop Games

Jan 2, 2019

Dinosaur Island

2017 | Dice Game, Economic

8.0

(8 Ratings)

Tabletop Game Rating

Fun and dynamic board game. (0 more)

Hard to fit it all back into the box and takes a while to set up (0 more)

Totally worth it!

I bought this game for my fiance after much deliberation due to the price. I got this and the expansion. I was a bit sceptical to start off with as it looked over complicated however once I started playing, it all made sense and now I love this game! It flows brilliantly and the goal is well established.
It has 3 game stages you can choose depending on the amount of time you want to be playing.. short, medium and long game play which is great for when you can't be stuck playing for hours.

The aim of the game is to build a dinosaur island park with different dinosaurs and attractions within it. You gain excitement points for each dinosaur you add which increases the amount of visitors you can have per round. You also gain Victory points for every visitor who you manage not to get eaten!

The game pieces are all really well made and easy to use. It is difficult to fit back into the box but I see it as a mini tetris bonus game each time!

Well worth investing in this game as it can and will bring hours of fun and excitement.

Kudos

Dean (6926 KP) rated Doctor Sleep (2019) in Movies

Oct 31, 2019

A bigger look at the Shining universe (0 more)

Some recreation scenes of the original (0 more)

Shine on

So I recently watched The Shining again to prepare for this. I've not read the book so can't compare it to that. It's mainly set some 30 years after the events of The Shining with Danny now a grown man and struggling in life. He finally finds a calling and seems to settle in a small town where he can use his Shine in a positive way. He discovers a new child with a great power and also of a group who want to hunt her down exploit her power.
For a long film it did whizz by as the story was very interesting. It's a different type of horror film to the original. Although it's still dark and disturbing in its content. We learn more about those with this power and the evil group who hunt down those with the power. It's good to see the overlook hotel again but in some ways this film didn't really need visit the old location. I guess it does give it more of a connection to the original. Although a couple of scenes there really would have been better cut out.
Overall it's a very interesting, entertaining film that might not be scary as such. It is very dark and menacing. A great expansion on the Shining universe.