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Welcome to Which Game First where we boldly explore the hilariously huge world of board games. Did we unearth any hidden treasures you’ve been missing out on? Let’s find out!
First: We use pencils in place of swords as we scribble up a lair of doom in Doodle Dungeon
Next: We bend flora and fauna to our will while dodging flaming lizards in Living Forest
Lastly: We thwart digging daredevils in Bandido
Doodle Dungeon
Designed by: Ulrich Blum
Published by: Pegasus Spiele (2020)
Players: 2 – 4
Ages: 10 & up
Playing time: 45 – 60 minutes
In Doodle Dungeon, each player works on their own dungeon blueprint. Drafted cards determine which elements — monsters, traps, and treasures — they have to add immediately. After fourteen cards have been drafted, the blueprint is passed to the next player, who then draws the route an anthropomorphic test hero will take because these days, even in the dungeon business, nothing works without quality inspection. The players receive their own blueprints back and try to keep the dummy hero from killing their monsters, stealing their treasures, and — obviously — making it out alive. They can use the drafted cards to fight off the hero or to support the heroes in their opponent’s dungeons. In the end, only the creator of the most devious dungeon will triumph.
Living Forest
Designed by: Aske Christiansen
Published by: Ludonaute (2021)
Players: 2 – 4
Ages: 10 & up
Playing time: 30 – 60 minutes
In Living Forest, you play as a nature spirit who will try to save the forest and its sacred tree from the flames of Onibi. But you are not alone as animal guardians have come together to lend a hand around the Circle of Spirits.
First, each player draws cards until they decide to stop or have 3 solitary animals in play.
Then, in player order, take 2 actions, or only 1 action if you have 3 solitary animals in play, using the elements provided by your animals.
Actions include, draft new animals using SUN, planting new trees using Earth, extinguish fires using Water, move around the circle using Air, or take a Fragment.
If fires remain and you don’t have enough water, Fire Salamanders are added to your deck.
When a player has either 12 Fire points, 12 different plants, or 12 sacred flowers, the game ends. The player with the most points wins!
Bandido
Designed by: Martin Nedergaard Andersen
Published by: Helvetiq (2016)
Players: 1 – 4
Ages: 6 – 99
Playing time: 15 minutes
Bandido is a cooperative game of strategy and observation.
A high-security prisoner is trying to escape through tunnels starting underneath his cell. The players must use co-operation and intuition to stop him.
On your turn, you must play one of 3 cards from your hand, connecting to the tunnel exits on the map. IF you manage to seal off all of the exits, you WIN, but if you can’t seal all the exits before the deck runs out, the Bandido escapes!