Elden Ring: The Board Game (2022)

“Elden Ring is one of my favorite games of all time, and Elden Ring: The Board Game feels like it was made by people who love it for all the same reasons I do, who found a way to channel its particular brand of misery in a refreshingly new format.”

“Elden Ring: The Board Game so far seems to be shaping up to be the best kind of adaptation. The broad strokes are here as you recognise them from the video game - characters, places, items - but its creators have taken necessary liberty to make them work in a tabletop form.”

The reviewer examines the campaign and components of Elden Ring: The Board Game, ultimately assigning it a solid B+ grade for its ambitious scope and presentation.

“Realm of the Grafted King is a monumental achievement, an admirable attempt to translate a massive video game into a tabletop experience. It's as much a story as it is a game, and in my playthrough I have enjoyed it as a big interactive novel.”(41:55)

“Elden Ring: The Board Game captures the spirit of exploration, intense combat, and character progression, while maintaining the challenge fans expect.”

“Having seen this in the flesh, I am comfortable saying that some of the larger models here are without a doubt among the most impressive cast or pre-constructed miniatures I've ever seen, easily rivalling and perhaps beating anything from CMON or Games Workshop.”

“There's a lot to love here. And I walked into this game highly skeptical. Um, I really did. I didn't know how they were going to accomplish Elden Ring on the table. I didn't know how they were going to do strategic boss battling.”(18:37)

“I just really had a good time with the game if the exploration phase is very reminiscent of Skyrim a game that I've also talked about enjoying as well the fact that it's a simple experience that is compelling to grab to go to the next spot”(18:53)

“Our slice of gameplay was enough to get a good feel for the board game’s unique combat system, which impressed with its intelligent distillation of video game timing and positioning to a square grid and cards.”

“Overall, I think this is a good experience that represents uh the elements that I look for from a Souls type game. And that's why I'm still going to play this one. It it is exciting when when it gets exciting and that that combat gets going.”(25:59)

“My overall rating of this is a six out of 10, and that's only because I like the theme so much.”(10:09)

The reviewer remains skeptical of Elden Ring: The Board Game, criticizing its expensive pledge levels and abstract lane-battler mechanics, ultimately advising buyers to wait until regular players can test it thoroughly.

“Elden Ring's shoddy components, unimpressive narrative, and bland challenges has left us continuing our search.”

“I was disappointed with Elden Ring: Stormveil Castle. Solo mode not being balanced is unfortunate. Cooperating in multiplayer is lacking, and the use of scenarios instead of exploring the Lands Between was an odd choice.”