Ichor (2025)

The reviewer highly praises "Ichor" as a tight and strategic abstract game where every move is crucial. They appreciate its quick playtime, the variety of unique gods and monsters, and its clean design with excellent symbology and reference aids, making it an enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.

The video from Board Game Animal offers a comprehensive review of the two-player abstract strategy game "Ichor" by Reiner Knizia. It delves into the asymmetric gameplay, unique abilities of the mythological figures, and overall player experience.

The reviewer praises Ichor as a deceptively simple Reiner Knizia game that reveals profound strategic depth through its unique special powers and counter-placement mechanism. While acknowledging its demanding, 'thinky' nature and potentially exhausting two-match structure, the author highly recommends the core game for its cleverness and fairness.

Mike and Chris from The Dice Tower review Ichor, an asymmetric two-player abstract strategy game where players command Greek gods or monsters. They discuss its clever design and engaging gameplay, ultimately recommending it.

The reviewer praises the game as a beautiful, fast-paced, and accessible duel that is simple yet dramatic. While they note it has less strategic depth than its companion game, Iliad, they consider it a worthy addition to any collection for its disruptive fun.

A tense, tactical duel, this game rewards thinky players willing to be cruel with its impactful one-use powers and clear skill-gap exposure.

This video from The Discriminating Gamer offers a comprehensive review of the physical board game Ichor. It likely explores gameplay, mechanics, and overall impressions of this asymmetric strategy game.

The reviewer considers Ichor a good abstract strategy game by Reiner Knizia, highlighting its tight, restricted gameplay and single-use powers. While recognizing its merits, the game doesn't personally resonate with them, feeling too similar to YINSH and prompting a preference for that game instead.

Ichor is a deep, engaging two-player abstract strategy game, lauded for its unique character powers and tactical challenges. While rewarding for 'thinky' players, its lack of randomness and casual elements might deter others, resulting in a 3.5/5 rating.

This review praises Ichor as a satisfying two-player abstract strategy game, comparing it to Othello with Greek god abilities. While enjoying the escalating gameplay, the reviewer notes minor component issues and a slightly anticlimactic ending.

The reviewer found 'Ichor' to be a unique and tactical abstract game with exciting, swingy plays, offering enjoyable content discovery. However, its initial opacity, slow pace due to complex abilities, and minor physical interaction quirks make it less impactful and accessible than a comparable game, despite its high quality.