Shadows Over Camelot

I am sure that with its growing popularity most of you have heard of Ticket to Ride.  Shadows over Camelot is published by the same company, Days of Wonder.  They have always had a great track record for producing quality products and we have already enjoyed each of our purchases through them.  So if you like the quality of Ticket to Ride, but want a cooperative game experience then trust us you will love this game.

What is it?

Shadows Over Camelot is a "cooperative" game set in the times of the legendary Knights of the Round Table.  The knights must work together to fight the forces of evil knocking on Camelot's door... errr drawbridge.  Oh yeah and one more thing... one of you could be a traitor....

How to play?

Each player will take on the role of a Knight of the Round Table (possibly including Arthur himself) and will also receive a loyalty card.  Most of the cards will say "loyal," but there is a chance that one of the cards will say "traitor."  Each knight's turn consists of a choice of an evil action followed by a good action.  Each loyal character will begin engaging in quests to recover artifacts (such as the Holy Grail and Excalibur), fighting foes (such as the invading Saxon armies and the Black Knight), or defending the besieged walls of Camelot.  Meanwhile the traitor (whose identity is unknown to the other players) will play along, waiting for his chance to strike and reveal his true allegiance.  Swords are collected as quests are completed or failed (white swords for victory and black for failure).  Have more white swords on the round table when the twelfth sword is collected and the knights will reign victorious!

Who to play with?

The more the better with an ideal game having 5 to 7 players.  With fewer players the game should probably not have the possibility of a traitor (which is significantly less exciting). The cooperative aspect of the game attracts most players, but may frustrate the intensely competitive types.  This is a nice introductory game, since the other players may assist the "new knight" in how to play during the game.  The game can tend to take a while due to slow decision makers, so cautiously invite analysis paralysis players to the table for this one.

What's on the box?

What's in the box?

White and black cards (good and evil respectively)
7 unique plastic (unpainted) knights with their own special abilities
23 enemy miniatures
8 6-sided Dice
Gameboard of Camelot with multiple quest boards
Rulebook and Quest Book (no not like D&D)


The Merlin's expansion adds 8 new knights (only one actual figure), a few new cards, and MERLIN!
Painted knights are really cool looking and can be purchased separately.

Favorite piece(s)?

The plain knights with colored bases are included only in the base game.  The outrageously amazing painted knights are sold separately, but really are the coolest aspect of the game. 

Similar Games?

Although we have not played it, we have heard that Battlestar Galactica is a very similar game, but with a SciFi twist.