Review of Ravensburger Horrified: American Monsters Strategy Board Game
Game Title: Horrified: American Monsters
Designer: Michael Mulvihill
Artists: George Doutsiopoulos, Kory Lynn Hubbel, Joshua Newton, Studio HIVE, Victor Maristane, Tom Moore
Publisher: Ravensburger
Player Count: 1-5 players
Recommended Age: 10+
Playing Time: 60 minutes
Overview
Horrified: American Monsters is a cooperative strategy board game where players face off against some of the most legendary American cryptids, including Bigfoot, Mothman, the Chupacabra, and more. Designed for 1-5 players, the game challenges participants to work together to overcome the unique abilities and dangers posed by these mythical creatures. The game offers adjustable difficulty levels, making it accessible for both competitive and casual game nights.
Components
The game includes:
- High-quality sculpted miniatures of each cryptid
- Detailed board representing various iconic American locations
- Character cards with unique abilities and stats
- Cryptid cards detailing each monster’s behavior and special rules
- Various tokens and markers for tracking items, health, and objectives
- Rulebook and scenario guide
The components are well-made, with particularly notable miniatures that enhance the visual appeal and immersion of the game. The artwork by George Doutsiopoulos and other artists is vibrant and thematic, bringing the world of American cryptids to life.
Gameplay
In Horrified: American Monsters, players must cooperate to defeat the cryptids before they wreak havoc. Each cryptid has its own set of challenges and behaviors, requiring players to adapt their strategies accordingly.
Turn Structure:
- Hero Phase: Players move their characters, perform actions such as collecting items, rescuing citizens, or fighting cryptids, and utilize their unique abilities.
- Monster Phase: Cryptids move and attack according to their behavior cards, presenting new threats and obstacles for the players to overcome.
The game is won by completing the objectives required to defeat the cryptids. This often involves collecting specific items, solving puzzles, or confronting the cryptids in battle.
Strengths
- Thematic Immersion: The game’s focus on American cryptids and the detailed miniatures and artwork create a rich and engaging theme.
- Cooperative Play: Encourages teamwork and strategic planning, making it ideal for group play.
- Adjustable Difficulty: The scalable difficulty ensures that the game can be tailored to suit players of different ages and skill levels.
- Solo Play Option: Rules for solo gameplay provide an additional challenge for individual players.
- Family-Friendly: Designed for players aged 10 and up, making it suitable for family game nights.
Weaknesses
- Learning Curve: New players might find the rules and strategic elements challenging at first.
- Downtime: With more players, downtime between turns can increase, potentially affecting the game’s pacing.
- Component Management: The various tokens and cards can be cumbersome to manage, especially for new players.
Conclusion
Horrified: American Monsters is a thrilling and immersive cooperative board game that pits players against legendary American cryptids. Its high-quality components, engaging theme, and adjustable difficulty make it a standout choice for both family and competitive game nights. While the game has a moderate learning curve and can have some downtime with more players, the cooperative gameplay and strategic depth offer a rewarding experience for those who enjoy a good challenge.
