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.

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.