Elder Sign Board Game

Although I've always been a big gaming fan I only recently started getting into the hobby seriously, after taking some time to read several reviews I decided to make Elder Sign one of the first additions to my collection - and I'm so glad I did.Initially I was interested in Arkham Horror because I really love the theme of the game but its so huge and detailed I wanted something a bit lighter that still had the feel and atmosphere that Arkham brings, which is where Elder Sign steps in. This is set in the same Lovecraft universe as Arkham but takes that rich theme and condenses it into a 60 to 90 minute gaming experience instead of the colossal 240+ minute marathon that Arkham delivers. So obviously this makes Elder Sign a much less intimidating game for somebody who is just getting started in gaming but wants a taste of that dark horror/sci-fi vibe, also at a much lower cost.Just in case you don't already know in Elder Sign you and the other players work together as a group of 1920's pulp investigators making your way around an old museum and completing adventures in the many different areas of the building in a collective effort to stop one of the ancient evil gods from entering our world and basically destroying everything.Overall for me this game ticks so many boxes, firstly it sets up quickly and the various cards and components are all beautifully made with great artwork. Secondly its easy to learn and teach which makes it perfect to pick up and play in a fairly short space of time. Thirdly it plays at a good speed and doesn't ever feel boring, thanks to the fast paced dice rolling nature of the game it gets really exciting at times. And finally the whole thing is dripping with that great Lovecraftian theme, everything from the monsters and investigators right down to the items you collect - it's very satisfying going into a creepy old museum armed with The Necronomicon and a tommy gun.So if you're interested in Arkham or Eldritch Horror but like me you want something more accessible then have a look at Elder Sign. Also even if you have no interest in these other games but want a fun cooperative game that plays quickly and has a solid theme then definitely pick this up.

Elder Sign is set in the same Arkham Horror universe and based on the Lovecraftian mythos that has proven popular for countless games and other knockoffs that has surfaced over the years. Unlike some of its predecessors and counterparts, however, this game is simple and quick to pick up and you can have a game in under a hour with 4 players once people know what they are doing.The idea behind the story is that you are a team of intrepid investigators going into the Arkham museum each night in hope of closing a gate that has opened, thus stopping on the of the Ancient Ones (of which you get 8 in the base game) from rising. How do you stop him/her/it from rising? Simple, get enough Elder Signs t do so before the Ancient One amasses enough Doom Tokens to awaken fully and take the world by storm (one of my gaming groups believe they intend to take over Broadway and attain stardom through a plethora of successful musicals, but we shall see). The Ancient One awakening does not automatically mean game over though, for you then get to combat the great ancient evil and try to force it back before it devours you and then the world (or conquers the aforementioned Broadway).While all of the dice rolling adds a significant luck factor to your endeavors, there is still strategy required in working with your strengths and what items you have to help you and working cooperatively toward your goal, you really do not want to try to be greedy and work solo thinking eveyone else will be fine, your character may quickly die and your teammates may not want to help you (as one fellow in another of my gaming groups found out).So get out there, kick down some monsters, solve those dastardly (and often deadly) investigations and send that Ancient One back down the hole It came from, but you'll be back as there are plenty more where It came from.While I do not have any of the expansions for this game I have had dozens of games and enjoyed each one since each game plays very differently since you never know what investigations or mythos cards events will come out next and you can really end up scratching your head trying to work out how to get 3 Terror results whilst also dealing with 2 monsters that have also attached itself to that devilish investigation. So, yes, while there is plenbty of dice rolling, it certainly is not the be and end all of this game, not by a long shot.