Defenders of the Realm

High cost, but hey that is to be expected with a game that contains over 100 miniatures.  Definitely not a very easy game to play, but with enough teamwork you might be able to win one out of every eight plays.

What is it?

Defenders of the Realm is a cooperative fantasy game in which a team of four heroes unite to defend Monarch City.  The heroes must balance defense with attacking the invading four generals before they reach the city's walls.

How to play?

Players each represent a hero with unique special abilities and talents (such as barbarian, ranger, dwarf, etc...).  One at a time the heroes will spend their actions maneuvering around the hordes of minions, attacking them, and completing heroic quests on the side.  Like many other cooperative games, each hero's turn is followed by an evil phase where minions are spawned and generals potentially move.  While there is only one victory condition, defeating all four generals, there happen to be many conditions for defeat (minions overrunning Monarch City, a single general reaching the city, or 12 taints plague the land).

Who to play with?

The game is most balanced with 4 heroes and the game becomes more difficult with fewer players.  Younger kids may not be able to keep up with the complexity of the game, but being cooperative it could be coached.  Again you must play this game with those who can work together unselfishly or else you will easily be defeated.

What's on the box?

What's in the box?

Hero, Quest, and Darkness Spreads cards
8 unique plastic (unpainted) miniatures for the heroes
4 colored generals with 25 minions for each
12 6-sided dice
12 crystals
Tokens: Life/Action and Gate
Gameboard, Rulebook
Character Cards

Expansions have been starting to be released, but are quite pricey for what you get.

Favorite piece(s)?

The dragon general!  So big, so powerful, so blue.

Similar Games?

Pandemic is very very similar, but you are a team of scientists trying to eradicate viruses and save the world.  Forbidden Island is another similar game, but is a lot more simplified.  In this game you must save artifacts and escape before the island sinks.