New FFP game announced - Dark Gothic

[ATOEtalGeek]

I got to demo this at GenCon on Thursday! FFP was one of the first booths we hit. My wife and I got to play this with Doc Edwards demonstrating it to us! We fell in love with the game. Each player starts with a character card that has abilities and certain levels in Honor, Cunning, Spirit, Combat and I think the other skill area was Investigation - although I could be wrong on that. It seems like there were 5 skill areas. Each character's special ability is different. Each player starts with a basic deck of cards based on the starting skill stats of their character. I played Harlow Morgan, for example. I don't recall exactly but he had something like 8 cunning, 3 combat, 2 spirit, etc. So I started with 8 +1 cunning cards, 3 +1 combat cards, 2 +1 spirit cards, etc. in my deck. Each of those skill areas helps you defeat (win) certain cards that are in the draft pool (which was 6 face-up cards I think). The cards in the draft pool each have a set of requirements needed to be defeated...a certain number of combat & cunning points for example, or it may also require to have a certain item with you, etc. As one is collected another is drawn from the supply deck and placed face up. The cards you are able to win and add to your deck help you the next time they come up in your hand. Many of the cards have an effect when they are defeated or even when they are drawn to be placed in the draft pool. In this way the game is VERY dynamic. There is something triggered and affected on just about each play. And there is player interaction as the result of certain cards.

To begin play a Villain is drawn and placed face up on top of its deck. On the villain card there is information to tell you what you need to defeat him. So many points of cunning, combat, spirit, etc. and perhaps some other type of card. When you are able to come up with that combination in your hand you are able to defeat the villain. You are ultimately trying to buff your character enough to defeat the villain that is drawn for the round. Once three villains are defeated the came ends.

Each card you have collected, and the villains you are able to defeat, have a point value on the card which is counted for end of game scoring. The player with the most points wins. You don't need to defeat a villain to win the game but it will help as the villains are worth many points.

The entire theme is ATOE. All of the cards are recognizable and borrow from the board game. There are minions, items, allies, town elders and events at every turn. The game captures aspects of the base game and all the expansions. The artwork is all the same as ATOE.

Like I said, being huge fans of ATOE, we fell in love with the game. Pre-ordering to get the bonus villain pack was a no-brainer. The sad news? It won't be out for distribution until February

The guys we talked to from FFP said they all fight over who is going to get to play the game when they get back to the hotel each night. It appeared that they only have two demo sets made up. The cards were made by printing the fronts and backs on paper, cutting them out and placing them into card sleeves with a dummy card sandwiched in to give rigidity. I would have taken one of those sets home if they were offered for sale

[mqstout]

Sounds great totalgeek. Thanks!

[ForestRunner]

I'll pick this one up. With AtoE getting more table time at the moment, it seems appropriate.

Diversification to card games is ok in my books. I have a couple of LCG's from FFG and the whole Dungeoneer suite by Atlas Games. We find them a good, fun romp.

I also find card games a great alternative for holidays/travel when both packing space and playroom space is at a premium.

[themanfromsaturn]

I'm very conflicted about this- I like ATOE as it is, and I don't think the world really needs another entry on the 'deckbuilding bandwagon'. Also, the fact that it's recycled card-art is a big disappointment. On the plus side, it looks like there are some new playable character (like charlotte dubois) and the 'woodcut-print wanted-poster' look for the monster art is pretty dang cool.

I'll probably pick it up just for the sake of keeping my ATOE collection complete.

[Achtung Panzer]

(08-28-2013 06:48 AM)themanfromsaturn Wrote:  The fact that it's recycled card-art is a big disappointment. On the plus side, it looks like there are some new playable character (like charlotte dubois).

I think that by re-cycling artwork not only do FFP establish a link between the two ATOE formats (board game and deck-building) it keeps development and production costs down. Ultimately I'd rather have new games and expansions than not, so I'm OK with re-cycled artwork.

[ATOEtalGeek]

I enjoyed the re-cycled artwork. All the characters were recognizable and in a new application - it was refreshing enough.

Plus, it would be a great segway game to bring people to ATOE the board game - or vice versa.

[StayPuft]

(08-28-2013 06:48 AM)themanfromsaturn Wrote:  I'm very conflicted about this- I like ATOE as it is, and I don't think the world really needs another entry on the 'deckbuilding bandwagon'. Also, the fact that it's recycled card-art is a big disappointment. On the plus side, it looks like there are some new playable character (like charlotte dubois) and the 'woodcut-print wanted-poster' look for the monster art is pretty dang cool.

I'll probably pick it up just for the sake of keeping my ATOE collection complete.

I definitely get you there, and can see that. I kind of like the idea of the re-used artwork, though. Makes it that much more so go well hand in hand with the original game. So they can kind of compliment each other somewhat. It kind of helps the effect that they are separate games, but still sort of connected.

[Pfr_Fate]

Ahhhhh! WHEN? 'in February' AHHH!

[ATOEtalGeek]

Holding my breath...edge of my seat. Can't wait. Any news??

[Pfr_Fate]

Woke up early this morning, went out to the mailbox...nothing yet. Damn. ( LOL )