Last Friday - English

Product Information

Last Friday (Revised Edition) is the updated and revised version of our hidden movement, hunting, and deduction board game, inspired by the popular "slasher" horror movie genre. Subtle but important changes to the rules enhance the game balance, giving to the Maniac more opportunities than ever to spread terror in Camp Apache! This revised edition also features new cover art. It’s just a sweet world to exist in for a while. It’s pleasant, like a cup of green tea. Nice, but ultimately, uninspiring. In saying that, the design is well thought through and there are so many helpful indicators of progress that it’s quite difficult to lose your place in the game, a necessity for any solo adventure. My issues with the game stem from the variance in the random number generation. Basically? Anything you see here is the result of multiple playtests with a variety of players, not to mention extensive hands-on time with the product in general. If we haven't played it half to death and don't still love it, it's not getting in. Pros of the game most definitely is the cat and mouse game between trying to escape from the killer and finding out how close he may actually be. Going after the killer in the second chapter was lots of fun, and I liked the overall experience of playing as the killer. You want something simple: Because it rips up the rules (in a manner of speaking, anyway) and offers lots of unique options, Cosmic Encounter may not be your speed if you want something really straightforward.

In much the same way, another title that's turning heads is Apiary. Because this is a game from the publisher of Wingspan about space bees, that's probably not surprising. I played the game with my family and although it was a little slow in the beginning to grasp all of the rules, it ended up being a lot of fun to play. The character cards were very reminiscent of people we have seen in the Friday The 13th films and the setup of the game, wherein counselors are set to escape the killer, was enjoying. You're expecting something for kids: Despite being based on the iconic, family-friendly movies of our childhoods, Villainous is actually a competitive strategy game with oodles of depth. It's not a good fit for children as a result, and won't jive with family-members who are expecting something very casual either.The answer to this sort of question comes down to personal preference, but we'd say board games like Gloomhaven (which often feature customizable characters or branching storylines that react to your choices) would come up trumps. Besides keeping you busy for months on end with consequences that follow you from session to session, they allow you to take ownership of things in a way few competitors do. They're often a bit deeper too, with more layered gameplay that'll provide a satisfying challenge. Last Friday Revised Edition is a game for 2 to 6 players, divided into four chapters full of horror and suspense (“Arrival at the Camp”, “The Chase”, “The Massacre”, and “The Final Chapter”), with a playing time of 30 to 45 minutes per chapter, which you can play individually or together in a long night of terror! Gameplay: First things first - be aware that there is a learning curve here. While our review called it "the most accessible complex wargame," Root is still a complicated beast that requires some investment. That effort is worthwhile, though. Persevere and you'll discover one of the best strategy board games out there; it's a poster-child for everything this hobby is capable of. Yes, there's a learning curve. Its scenarios aren't always the most well-balanced either, and a few mission rules could be clearer. But on the whole, you'll have enough fun that those niggles won't matter. This is perfect for game night with your friends. However, our testing sessions aren't just about determining whether something is enjoyable or not. We focus on component quality, art, and value for money too. In addition, how does it compare to what came before? Will it draw you into the story it's telling (if there is one), or does it provide a twist on established conventions? These are all elements we consider when testing products. After all, it has to be special if it wants a chance of getting onto a list of the best board games.

What you need to know: Ever wonder how long you'd last in a horror movie? Betrayal at House on the Hill lets you find out. Setting players loose in a haunted mansion that's quite literally out to get them, it's drenched with tension. It's also unpredictable enough that you're never sure what's going to happen next. Sure, not all of the scenarios are created equal. But if you're hunting down something more mature in terms of both narrative and gameplay, this is one of the top board games for adults. Not that this is only for kids, of course. It'll be a hit with all ages, and is a great warm-up game before moving on to something with more depth.How it works: As the name would suggest, Villainous revolves around classic baddies getting their way - Jafar wants to control Genie, Prince John is trying to amass a fortune, and so on. Think of it like a 'what if' scenario, where the antagonists finally get their way. How it works: Much like the Redwall novels, each player commands a tribe of anthropomorphic creatures that must fight to control the forest's clearings (in practical terms, that means collecting 30 'Victory Points'). The base game gives you control of four factions: the 'Marquise de Cat' that must cement their rule by putting down rebellion, feudal birds who operate via espionage, an insurgency of 'peasant' animals (mice and hedgehogs) called the Woodland Alliance, and an adventuring racoon who sneaks around the board. Each one has its own unique playstyle, and although that's a lot to take in, it encourages you to think creatively and dream up wild strategies. You don't like pressure: Tensions run high in Pandemic (you are saving the world, after all), so anyone that doesn't like pressure in games won't enjoy this one. It's a gripping but intense experience. Our dedicated team of editors, writers, and freelancers only ever include games in our guides that they truly believe in - and for that, there are a few hoops they need to jump through. The bottom line: There's a good reason why Pandemic has been on shelves for a couple of decades now - its blend of challenge and elation when you win makes it a classic. While there are countless versions to choose from now, we're still partial to this original game due to how elegant it is. Absolutely nothing is wasted in terms of mechanics and design.

What if the bad guys triumphed for once? And wouldn't that be more fun? As it turns out, yes. Yes it would GamesRadar+ review You want something easy and breezy: Looking for a simple party game that'll only last for 20 minutes or so? This ain't it, chief. Despite being accessible on the whole, it's still a lot more complex than classics such as Clue. If you ask us, that intricacy makes Villainous better when played head-to-head. While duking it out with lots of other people is fun, reducing the head-count makes things less chaotic and gives you more time to strategize. It's a great choice in terms of must-have board games for 2 players.Gameplay: Pandemic's balance of risk and reward keeps it at the top spot as one of the best board games overall. Is it better to keep disease levels down so that they don't spread from city to city in the short term, or should you play the long game and go all-in on developing cures? There's no right answer. What you need to know: If you have a soft spot for fantasy and love nothing more than poring over ye-olde maps while dreaming of adventure, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion should be on your radar. This dungeon-crawling epic taps into all that with branching storylines more commonly seen in the best tabletop RPGs, and it makes skilful use of 'Legacy' mechanics where the consequences of your actions carry across from one session to the next. There are some pretty cool ways that the counselors can slow down or reveal the whereabouts of the killer. Each counselor has "special abilities" and they can either plant lanterns to expose a stealthy maniac, leave bear traps lying around to slow his progress, and put on running shoes to move a little faster. The killer can use an axe to break down the counselor’s cabin door, play a plot twist to take an extra turn, or use an invisible token to mysteriously vanish from sight. Perhaps the best function of the game is that at different points within the game the killer must either reveal his current position or his position from a few turns ago, every three moves. This creates a number of tense moments that are genuine as you realize the maniac is quite possibly right behind you. How it works: Your aim here is simple - make it out of the mansion alive after completing one of 50 missions. That isn't to say it's predictable, though. Betrayal isn't set up like traditional board games, and that's part of its appeal. Your character has been drawn to the house for mysterious reasons (they're following a friend who's gone missing or received an invitation from parties unknown, for example), and it's revealed turn by turn as you try to solve that case. However, each room is selected at random when you enter it. The items or events encountered within are randomized as well. In other words? There's no way of telling what lurks behind those doors.