For Families

DungeonCrawl en Famille

The Treasures of the Dark Tower

Across the mine field to the treasure chamber

Kid                       

Family          ein    

Friends                 

Expert                           

Alter            8       

Spezial                 

Games from Eastern European designers are still not easily available (luckily, for the sake of this statement, the Czech Republic is situated north, not east, of Austria) The game “The Treasures of the Dark Tower provides components and rules in English and German (with some cute translations) and Russian. We did assume that Andrej Wolkowskij is Russian, Belorussian or Ukrainian, but the name could be Polish as well. A simple internet search does not yield information on his origin, and for reviewing this fantasy-themed board game it is superfluous anyway, but Ferdinand de Cassan provided the information: Wolkowskij is Ukrainian.

The background story is quickly told. Up to five adventurers (four male and one female character are provided) prowl through a fortress and search for the keys to a treasure chamber. The paths in this fortress – called labyrinth despite few chances to lose your way – can be loaded with additional traps, because whoever brings the necessary amount of keys – four or six) to the treasure chamber, wins the game. That’s it – there is no treasure at the end of the game, but you can put “Honourable Vizier of the magical Tower and Conqueror of innumberable slimy creatures and ridiculous fellow players“ on your calling card.

Movement on the board is regulated by six-sided, normal dice. At the end of a move you either stand on a special square and implement the corresponding actions (search for key, teleport to another square, hire a protecting spirit ore whatever) or you draw a card to either find an object, experience an event or meet a magic monster. The rule book on the whole is clear and well-structured and illustrated with lots of images. The few not absolutely explicit points are easily cleared up – as the game itself is not really complicated.

A few special features distinguish „The Treasures of the Dark Tower“ from many other similar games. One collects game pieces – despite being spike and rhombic, the rule insists on calling them spheres in all languages  („Cфep“, „Sphären“) – in several colours, which can be exchanged for mines (traps to drop) or damage markers (additional damage for monsters in battle) or are very helpful in fighting monsters in other ways.

Characters have - besides their individual characteristics (combat techniques) - also Live Points, which are only necessary for battle, so basically they cannot die if the lose a fight. The six-sided Battle Die shows the symbols „1“, „2“, „3“, „·[1 Point]“, „··[2 Points]“ and „©[Heart]“. Numbers denote the use of a special ability (hero characteristics or monster attack depending on who rolls the die), points determine the loss of live points and heart the gain of a live point. Fights among characters are not intended. Furthermore the components feature an Oracle Coin – a cardboard disc showing „No“ (Heт / Nein) on one side and „Yes“ (Дa / Ja) on the other side, which is used rather often.

Fun in playing the game is low even for rather inexperienced players, but as an introductory game to the genre of fantasy adventure game „The Treasures of the Dark Tower“ might have its use, the starting age can be lowered.

Somewhat disappointing is that the magical creatures have not been gleaned from the rich canvas of the Eastern European / Russian fairy tales. How nice it would have been to meet again with old acquaintances from Sowjet films, which sometimes can be spotted today on television, mainly on German stations like Kika or MDR – witch Baba Jaga or magician Bone Man. A missed chance, surely.

Anyhow, the fighting system – different styles of combat, which are chosen by pure chance – brings variety and a certain individual charm into play. A definite positive comment must be made concerning components and rules. All cards and even the Oracle Coin are provided threefold – one set per language. The graphics are likably playful with a slightly grim touch, the monsters are sometimes really sweet and yet appear agreeably dangerous.  And finally, the pieces are done in a retro design commemorating the games of the genre in the early Eighties. Viewed from this point “The Treasures of the Dark Tower” comes across like a time-travelling predecessor of Steve Jackson’s classic “Der Hexenmeister vom Flammenden Berg”.

Martina & Martin Lhotzky, Marcus Steinwender

Spieler         : 2 bis 5

Alter            : ages 8 and up

Dauer           : 45 bis 75 Minuten

Autor           : Andrew Volkowskiy

Grafik                    : Andrew Volkowskiy

Vertrieb A.   : Heidelberger

Preis            : ca. 40,00 Euro

Verlag          : Andrew Volkovskiy Entertainment / Agentur Vielfalt

Genre                    : Adventure quest game

Zielgruppe             : For families

Mechanismen         : Roll die, draw and implement event cards

Zufall                     : 7

Wissen                  :

Planung                 : 4

Kreativität              :

Kommunikation      : 4

Geschicklichkeit      :

Action                   :

Kommentar:

Lovingly chosen components

Only for beginners in the genre of dungeon crawls

Rules in English, German and Russian

Vergleichbar

All simple fantasy board games

Atmosphäre           : 4

Martina, Martin und Marcus:

A simple fantasy board game with attractive components, very good as entry into genre, sadly without allusion to Slavic folk lore.