Last Wednesday my "long time coming" game had arrived: This War of Mine: The Board Game
Let me walk you through my unboxing last week ...
Speaking of the box - This box was actually smaller than I had anticipated considering everything you get with it. The designers did a great job with size and space inside the box for the many components. 😎
First up we have two scenarios you can play if you don't want to play the standard "just stay the heck alive" mode. However, I forgot to take a picture to share. But trust me, they're very well done, as is all the components of this game.
(Left) You'll see the "journal" (which is your rulebook essentially). However, in TWoM the "rules" are only 8 pages long. It includes the standard setup (non-scenario) and walks you through the phases of the game. That's it! Otherwise, the rules come by following the directions of the cards and your "Book of Scripts".
Speaking of that, "The Book of Scripts" is basically your bible. It has 1500+ scripts that narrate the story of your survival efforts throughout this brutal war. It's unbelievable! Your decisions in the game and cards you draw will dictate where you need to go in this book, and what the outcomes may be.
Here (above) is a pic of all the components that come with this awesome game!
It comes with this insert (above). This is how it looks when you first unbox it, but in the manual it shows the recommendation of where everything goes for easy access, setup and play. Very well done and simplistic in my opinion.
What I did realize was how many miniatures you get with this game! The base game comes with 12 character minis and corresponding player cards. Whoa!!! Now I have more to paint someday!
Here's a shot of my first three players selected in my inaguaral game at the table. Don't love them too much though - they sadly died after a day and a half... oops... 😏
The game board holds true to the tone of the PC game. Dark, sad and heavy (like 'weight on your shoulders' stressy heavy to just survive) come to mind. The board is actually double sided as well, with a more advanced side when you flip it to the opposite side of the game board (that'll be a while away).
Notice how everything is labelled. Setup is quick and straight forward. Don't let that fool you though, because every game is different!! Trust me!
My first loss was, Katia (the reporter) who died last Wedneday evening of Hunger. Food and water are scarce (amongst so many other things) during this war. This is not a game for people who "have to win" every time. This is a game like Frostpunk where you will LOSE more than you win.
AND I AM LOVING IT!!!! I already have the two expansions on my wishlist!