Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, the stand-alone and streamlined version of the acclaimed board game, aims to provide an accessible entry point to the world of Gloomhaven. While it succeeds in providing an introductory experience, it falls short in delivering, in my own opinion, an immersive experience. With repetitive gameplay, its appeal is somewhat diminished.
To give context to this review, I played this game with my partner once a week for around six weeks. We went to the extent of playing classic RPG music from YouTube in the background, such as Skyrim and The Witcher, to create the right atmosphere for an adventure. It may be due to the limited player count in our playthrough, but we felt that overall the experience was lacking somewhat by the end of our campaign.
One of my primary concerns with Jaws of the Lion is its repetitive nature. The game follows a scenario-based structure, where players embark on missions to complete objectives and progress through the campaign. While the initial scenarios present interesting challenges and introduce the mechanics effectively, the subsequent ones can start to feel formulaic and predictable. The lack of variety in gameplay mechanics and the repetitive nature of the objectives hinder the sense of excitement and discovery that one would hope for in a campaign-based board game.
What's in the box... (IMage from the Designer Diaries)
Unfortunately, the strategic decision-making process feels somewhat watered down, and the sense of immersion in the game's world is not very strong. The story, while present, lacks the same level of intricacy and intrigue found in other story-telling experiences, making it harder to feel invested in the narrative. This may-be misplaced expecations going into the gaming experience on our part, but since this product is designed to segway us into the broader and full experience of Gloomhaven Revised Edition; it didn't sell it to us.
While the game supports solo play and cooperative play with up to four players, it's worth noting that this review is based on a two-player experience. With just two players, the tactical options and synergies between characters are more limited, leading to less strategic depth and very repetitive gameplay. It's certainly possible that with a larger group, the dynamics and interactions could be more engaging and varied. If you're looking to get this game, we strongly recommend that you play with more than two players. I personally played as The Hatchet and my partner played as the Red Guard, which felt quite overpowered compared to the other classes with it's abilities. This may speak to our gaming abilities however and may not be due to the game design.
Gameplay in a scenario (Image from the Designer Diaries)
On a positive note, Jaws of the Lion does excel in its accessibility and tutorial elements. The rulebook and scenario book provide clear instructions and gradually introduce new concepts, making it easier for newcomers to grasp the game's mechanics. The production quality, including the artwork and component design, is consistent with the high standards set by the Gloomhaven series.
In conclusion, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion offers an accessible and streamlined entry point into the Gloomhaven universe. However, it falls short in delivering the same level of depth, variety, and immersion as we initially were hoping for. The repetitive gameplay, lack of strategic complexity, and limited player count dampen the overall experience for us. It's also worth noting, that while it can be a decent introduction for newcomers, players familiar with the full Gloomhaven experience may find Jaws of the Lion lacking in comparison. With its simplified mechanics and reduced scope, it's best enjoyed with a larger group for more engaging and diverse gameplay.
