Mantic's Dungeon Saga exploding in it's final hours!

It used to be that playing a board game meant sitting down with some friends rolling some dice, drawing some cards, and moving around a square until the people sitting next you were no longer your friends.

Instead of trying to ruin friendships it's become popular to have players work cooperatively against either another player, or against the game "ai".  These games tend to keep it light and slightly whimsical to maintain a cheery atmosphere.

Why do I need another game that does the same thing?

Because Mantic Games' Dungeon Saga:The Dwarf King's Quest (DS) is much much more…

DS is a dark and dangerous cooperative board game that allows 1-5 players to take control of an adventuring party while one person takes on the role of the bad guy – or not. The adventures can be split up between the players or can be controlled by only one person.

What’s more, that the game comes with a number of set scenarios that tell the story of taking down a Necromancer and his undead host in the tight and twisting confines of a fallen dwarf kingdom. The adventurers will level up, collect new gear, and evolve. This makes it much more akin to a traditional RPG than a simple board game. But traditional RPGs can be daunting for the uninitiated or uncreative. (read: Me) So DS is walking a fine line that few games today tread, taking the story telling, the character progression, and the teamwork aspects that make RPGs so alluring, while simultaneously giving players a direction and purpose… things players new to RPG’s often have trouble with.

But DS isn’t just for RPG new comers; veterans still have tons of scenarios to test themselves against and a solid framework from which to build their own stories and characters. On top of that as veterans will attest, it can be difficult to find just the right miniature to serve as heroes or monsters to support their games. DS isn’t just a book and some stats sheets, it has all the miniatures you need, plus tokens, plus game tiles, PLUS all the rule books, stats cards, dice, and all the other odds and ends you need to actually play a game.

But let’s get back to the miniatures for a minute:

Sometimes D&D type miniatures are a bit… off. Sculpting looks weird, posing is odd, they’re made of metal, you have to paint them, and the female form tends to be… unprotected.

But Mantic has had a lot of experience now with design and producing miniatures and it shows. The models look great and are well sculpted in dynamic poses that aren’t over the top. They are also in pre-colored plastic so for those who can’t be bothered to paint won’t be stuck with a bunch of grey pieces to differentiate. The models are certainly geared towards the 13+ crowd, but I'm happy to say there isn’t a chainmail bikini to be found so you won’t get uncomfortable stares from your wife or difficult to answer questions from your daughter!

So why should you get in now instead of a year from now when it hits retail?

First and foremost you’re going to get an amazing deal. That’s right, I said it; do it for the money (savings), not some pie in the sky idea that you are making this game a reality (which you are, but still). This Kickstarter has officially blown up ($700K as of now) and Mantic is heaping tons of amazing stretch goals on the backers.

More miniatures, new characters (both good and bad), plastic furniture, and even new scenarios are all getting added in! Some of these are even Kickstarter exclusives that will be difficult and expensive to find anywhere else in the future.

Here’s the bottom line: It’s a screaming good deal for your money. For the cost of just some other RPG rule books you get a fully formed game that’s friendly for beginners and encourages experienced players. It gives you everything you need to play the game and even lets you play by yourself if you don’t have a gaming group.

• If you're wanting a game that let's you strategize and fight alongside your friends - this is for you.
• If you’ve ever been interested in RPGs and didn’t know where to start or who to play with - this is for you.
• If you’re tired of some other RPGs that are just a big book of rules that makes you do all the work - this is for you.
• If you love getting a good deal on your games –this is for you.
• If you are looking for a new way to use all those Kings of War minis – this is for you. (oh yeah forgot to mention that)