Print and Play Gameplay

For our game design class we were assigned to play some print and play games as an idea builder for our own board game.

K.O Arena:

First play through was K.O Arena. It has a really nice nostalgic feel due to it's bootleg nintendo feel. How can you not like Elroy (Link) and Ace (Fox)? The character designs are pretty great. It's like really great bootleg product find you'd see at the dollar store.

Playing the game is it's own challenge. There are mini move cards along with bio cards that the players are given. The map is a very, very simple cliff with several platforms for the players to use. You roll a 6 sided die to check your moves for combat and travel.  I can see how this is appealing and it could make some fun gameplay.

Verdict: As we played the game our demeanor fell. It's too complicated to pick up and play. We'd rather just play a quick round of Super Smash Bros then spend an hour waiting our turn to move.

to the next game...

The Thing:

You know that horror film from the early 1980's? Someone made a print and play game of it. Yep, you read that right. We printed the game out and set it up according to the directions, or at least tried our best to do so. The 'play through' was extremely confusing. There are SO many cards. When we had that all figured out we were so turned off by the game.. not a good sign.

Gameplay: There are 9 phases of play. Yes, 9 phases per player. There are the infected side and the player side? I can't figure it out.

Verdict: We couldn't even figure how to play the game with the cards given. Overall, unsuccessful play through.

Hopefully our games will be simpler and more accessible to players...