[Board/Tactical Game]: Shadows Over Camelot, reviewed by Joe_G_Kushner (4/5)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/11/11302.phtml

Joe G Kushner's Summary:

Looking for a board game that doesn't require there to be a single winner and to build teamwork? Shadows Over Camelot is perfect for you then.

Go to the full review for more information.

Post originally by Torben Mogensen at 2005-06-01 07:49:43
Converted from Phorums BB System

The cooperative aspect and the "Evil gains power" part reminds me of two games. The best known is Reiner Knizia's "Lord of the Rings" game, which is much simpler (and random) but has some of the same choices of taking damage to yourself to further the group goal.

A lesser known game is Avalon Hill's "Wizards" that each player playing wizards that solve quests to prepare attempting to defeat the evil power that is slowly taking over the land. This also has a degree of copperative play (you must work together to avoid evil from winning), but also a competitive aspect, as the one to finally defeat the evil power is declared winner. This game is considerably more complex that Knizia's LotR (and also has some flaws making the endgame uninteresting), but interesting nonetheless.

In any case, I'm not sure you can call the idea of a cooperative game "innovative". Unusual, yes. Hard to get right, yes. But not original, no.

Post originally by committed hero at 2005-06-01 07:54:52
Converted from Phorums BB System

I didn't think this had been released.

Post originally by committed hero at 2005-06-01 07:58:04
Converted from Phorums BB System

One other thing, the game can be played without the risk of selecting one player as the traitor (this is a recommendation for the first couple tries). Although in each turn, a player has to do something detrimental as well as beneficial, regardless of whether s/he is the traitor.

Nice review.

Post originally by Skywalker at 2005-06-01 13:38:58
Converted from Phorums BB System

I believe it is out in Europe but not the US.

Post originally by Rev. Pee Kitty at 2005-06-01 19:09:11
Converted from Phorums BB System

<P>I don't want to get too off-topic, but if you find Knizia's LOTR game too simple, I <B>highly</B> recommend trying it with the <I>Friends and Foes</I> expansion. It adds a second level to the game -- you also have to prevent Mordor's war forces from overrunning Middle Earth, but can also win the game by defeating them all -- and the additional boards and cards have some interesting (and difficult) twists and turns to them.</P>

<P>It really makes it into a totally different game. I consider LOTR to be a $74.99 game that happens to come in two boxes -- or you can buy the simplified version for $44.95. </P>

Post originally by Skywalker at 2005-06-01 19:36:03
Converted from Phorums BB System

And if you are really keen try the Sauron expansion as well. It is an absolute killer. I don't think we ever made it out of Helm's Deep whilst playing with it

I personally found that the Freinds and Foes expansion by itself was a little out of balance as the Foes were often all defeated way before the end. However, with Sauron it seemed much more even.

So the game is even better with all the expansions.

Post originally by Patrick Riley at 2005-06-01 23:47:01
Converted from Phorums BB System

They had it at Kublacon and sold out.

Post originally by Ralph Mazza at 2005-06-02 07:44:23
Converted from Phorums BB System

According to their website, preorders are expected to ship in the US June 6.

Post originally by steve owen at 2005-06-05 04:23:26
Converted from Phorums BB System

I am not sure a review of this game is complete if the traitor was not included in any of the games played. The traitor is an interal feature of this game and should be approached as would be expected for someone who is working in the shadows to accelerate the downfall of Camelot but is keeping this hidden from his fellow knights. There have been a substantial number of posts in the forum section of DOW's site claiming the 3 player game is broken as the traitor can and should openly play as such from the start. I think this is completely against the spirit of this game. It is far more interesting, entertaining and satisfying to mask your intentions as the traitor which makes the revelation all the more suprising to the loyal contingents.