ZarkSeven

Dungeons & Dragons: Castle Ravenloft Board Game is a dungeon crawler that follows a simplified version of the 4th edition D&D rules. The box is large and comes with a lot of pieces, including tiles, chits, figures, and cards, as well as a deep storage area for all that.

There are 13 game scenarios in the box, plus 5 more from you can download free from Wizards of the Coast (2 WOTC generated ones and 3 contest winning ones), as well as a myriad of fan-created ones elsewhere online. Some of the basic rules are even adjusted for different scenarios, which provide flexibility to do-it-yourselfers. Maps, treasure and monsters are randomized each time as well. All that leads to a lot of re-playability.

There are scenarios for 1-5 players. The game is cooperative in nature. I love the fact that there are solo scenarios, meaning I can get my fix even when no one is available to join me. The game is mostly fighting oriented, and you generally are thrown right into the thick of things. The challenge level seems normal to high, with one of two scenarios being excruciatingly tough. Be prepared to lose as many as you win, possibly more. “Horror of the Howling Hag” may be one of my favorites. The rules are not overly complicated, and you should be able to get the swing of things after a game or two. Past that, most games can be played in 1-2 hours.

There are a few places where the game falters. Rules are a bit murky at times, almost like there wasn’t enough play testing before release to answer all of the possible questions that could come up. Most times there is not a lot of strategy involved. There can be a lot more reacting than planning, particularly due to the monster spawns possible with a high number of players. This keeps the pace going but may turn off strategy fans. Also, as role-playing is pretty well non-existent (don’t go into it expecting regular D&D from the D&D board game), the scenarios could be expanded for more storytelling. And though it’s a bit nitpicky, I’d have loved to see painted play figures in the set. I’m hoping some of these things are addressed in the Wrath of Ashardalon and Legend of Drizzt follow-up sets, but I haven’t played them yet to tell.

Overall I really enjoy the Dungeons & Dragons: Castle Ravenloft Board Game. My play sessions have been very fun and it’s one of the better games I’ve gotten in the last few years. However, though your core group of D&D players would probably enjoy this game, they would probably prefer playing regular D&D. Save this one for those who want to be in your core group but don’t have the time or aren’t very good at role-play, or those interested in the fantasy genre but aren’t that familiar with D&D rules.