Watch your Back: Week March 20 to 26 (Part 2)

We continue our weekly preview with another 4 games (here is Part 1).

***

Mercurial is a 1-4 player competitive dice- and hand-management game in which you play as a spellcrafting mage, trying to take out the enemies of your land. The game is by David Goh, who previously designed the card game Endogenesis.

In Mercurial, each player starts with a hand of cards, their dice, and a set amount of mana. You will be buying spell cards from the 'market' with dice and mana, and then playing them to fight the enemies. Solo rules have not been revealed yet. It is launching on Kickstarter on March 22.

Image source: BGG

Personal opinion: The theme is somewhat thin in this one, I watched a gameplay explanation and it seemed quite abstract. Zerbique told me he is interested, so we'll see how he feels about it when it launches.

***

Moving on to the campaign storytelling game Fire for Light: a 1-4 player cooperative adventure in which a party of village children and a robot are trying to get resources to fight the harsh winter and protect the village from attacking enemies.

In each round, you will be exploring locations and using items and abilities to face any encounters that may come in your way according to the storybook. The campaign consists of 15 chapters, and the game is launching on Kickstarter on March 22.

Image source: BGG

Personal opinion: The artwork makes it look too much like a computer game which is a negative for me. I don't like to read from storybooks either, so this one doesn't light my fire, so to speak.

***

Next, we have Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar. As the title suggests, this is a cooperative legacy adventure game in which you will be altering/destroying components but you will be able to endlessly replay the tutorial and the finale. You are playing as dinosaur park designers, trying to develop the island and at the same time keep yourself and the tourists safe from the dinosaurs.

In each round, you will be moving across the island, taking actions and defending from possible attacks. It is playable solo by controlling at least 2 characters, and it will launch on Kickstarter on March 22.

Image source: BGG

Personal opinion: I am impressed by the funky looks of the game (it is co-produced by Funko, after all) but when I saw the price (120$), I decided I don't want it that much.

***

Finally, there is Encyclopedia: a 1-4 player dice placement game in which you are an 18th century researcher traveling all over the world to collect animal specimens and compile a natural history encyclopedia.

At the start of your turn, you will be rolling dice and placing them on your player board to perform actions. These actions allow you to hire assistants and receive funding. Then, you will choose an animal to study from those available at the Academy, and then go on an expedition in their natural habitat. Expeditions will lead to publications, and then to victory points. In the solo mode, you can play against one or more AIs. It is launching on Kickstarter on March 24.

Image source: BGG