A Board game review by Cobe
Lets begin with one of my favourites
The internet is chock full of reviews from many different sources of newer games. So I’m going to begin with one of my absolute favourites. This game has been around for many years, but still remains as the board game I play most often. The game was designed by Richard Garfield of Magic the Gathering fame. It was originally released in 1994 by Wizards of the Coast. It was subsequently rereleased in 2005 after Hasbro acquired Wizards of the Coast, under the Avalon Hill label. Like all things Richard Garfield, there is a fair amount of calculation that went into the creation of this game. If you don’t know what it is by now. Chances are good that you’ve never played it. If that’s the case, then I’m about to open your eyes to something truly special.
The name of the game is Roborally. A game that requires a little bit of luck, a very adaptive Strategy, the ability to quickly plan ahead, and the right amount of ruthlessness in order to win.
The blurb on the box reads
As one of several supercomputers in a fully automated widget factory, you have it made. You are brilliant. You are powerful. You are sophisticated. You are BORED. So enjoy a little fun at the factories expense! With the other computers, you program factory robots and pit them against each other in frantic, destructive races across the factory floors. Be the first to touch the flags, in order, and you win it all: the honor, the glory, the grudging respect of the other computers. But first you have to get your robot past obstacles like gaping pits, industrial lasers, moving conveyor belts and, of course, all the other robots!
Personally I find it a little more fun to imagine myself as the Robot. In a race across the factory trying to reach that final checkpoint to escape. Most everyone I’ve introduced this game to has preferred to see it the same way. It starts with the Robot character pieces. They resemble something right out of a Pixar film. The character Game cards don’t make it any easier. A lot of work went into making all of them appealing.
As previously stated the point of the game is to maneuver your Robot through the Factory. Whichever Robot reaches all of the checkpoints first wins. Alternatively you can also win by being the last Robot standing. I have both won, and lost that way also. There are a number of Game boards, and checkpoints included with the game. How many of each you choose to use is entirely up to the Players. This guarantees that no two games of Roborally are the same. It also allows you to control the length, and difficulty of the game to a certain extent. Very few games have that degree of flexibility, while maintaining a replayability equal to any other game. If you enjoy your first game of Roborally. You’ll enjoy it each, and every time you play it always.
Maneuvering your Robot around the Factory floor isn’t as easy as rolling dice. It is limited by the placement of program cards. Each card is set up by you at the very beginning of a turn. Then each card is revealed one by one, and it’s instructions are followed. These program cards are what really contribute to the chaos, and strategy of the game.
Anticipating what your opponents will do when your Robots are in close proximity to each other is key to winning at Roborally. Knowing when to run, stay put, or go on the offensive can be the difference. Robots can also earn upgrades during the course of a game. Taking full advantage of these upgrades can significantly change the way you play. Not only do they enhance your Robot. In some cases they can strike enough fear in your opponents that a path to victory opens up.
Lastly the Factory itself can be used to gain an advantage. Hazards can become helpful if used correctly. You can push an opponent’s Robot into Factory lasers. You can guide your Robot on to Conveyor Belts that carry it toward the checkpoint. There are ways to take advantage of every space on the board if you think quick enough.
All in all Roborally is a game I would encourage everyone to play. Even if you aren’t a fan of Board games. Roborally has a comedic quality that makes it fun for everyone. If you are a fan of Strategy games that reward you for out thinking your opponents? Then you will absolutely love Roborally.
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