the first time I opened this box, the sheer amount of stuff inside was overwhelming – I’m talking over 800 cards, miniatures of the characters that actually looked like they came from the video game, and a game board that got the attention of my entire dorm room. Setting it all up the first time took us about forty-five minutes; we were distracted by all of the little details. Jake was practically quivering with excitement as he pointed out every single reference to the video game.
it wasn’t until after the first session, however, that I realised how well this worked as a social experience – I had assumed that since the game was going to be so complex, it would only appeal to those who had played the video game. However, the opposite occurred. We had our normal gaming group join us, as well as a couple of other people who had never touched a modern board game. Sarah from down the hall ended up joining us one evening and ended up leaving around 2 am because she became so invested in her character’s story.
the game is designed for 1-4 players, and it has a large campaign that unfolds across multiple sessions. It is essentially like a television series where each session is a single episode, and you’re creating this ongoing story with the other players. Each player’s character grows and changes throughout the campaign, and the choices you make in one session can significantly impact future sessions. The campaign has continued for approximately two months now, and we meet every Wednesday night in the student union.
the combat in the game is much less complicated than I thought it would be, which works very well in favour of the overall game. Combat is essentially dice rolling with some tactical considerations regarding equipment and positioning. However, it is rarely ever so complicated that it hinders the social momentum of the game. I’ve lost count of how many games have become mired in overly complex combat systems where the players are spending all of their time looking at rulebooks rather than having fun. The game does a good job of keeping combat simple and enjoyable.
the cooperative nature of the game is what truly sets it apart in our group. Each player selects a different build for their character – I typically select a stealthy thief-type character, and Jake selects some sort of warrior – and you have to work together to overcome the larger challenges. There is one particular moment that stands out from several weeks ago – we were fighting a dragon encounter, and we spent nearly twenty minutes discussing our plan of attack, and contributing ideas to one another based upon our character’s abilities. When we finally defeated the dragon, the table erupted in cheers.
I’ve participated in a number of story-driven games with the club – such as Mansions of Madness and the Fallout board game – but this game takes a different approach to structuring the narrative of the game. Rather than forcing players to follow a rigidly linear storyline, this game uses branching storylines, and the players’ choices in one session can greatly influence what occurs in subsequent sessions. It is certainly not as free-form as the video game, but there is enough variation to allow for differing experiences among various groups.
in terms of production quality, this game exceeds expectations – the miniatures are detailed enough that Jake has begun painting them in his free time (which says a lot, since he can barely draw a stick figure), the artwork on the cards perfectly captures the feel of the Skyrim universe, and the game board is a beautifully rendered representation of the world that encourages players to explore every nook and cranny.
where this game falters somewhat is in regards to the learning curve. Our first session was somewhat of a disaster because the rulebook is dense and often ambiguous in explaining certain scenarios. We likely spent more time referencing the rulebook during the session than we did actually playing, which dampened the excitement somewhat. It took us three to four sessions to become proficient enough in the mechanics to worry more about the story rather than the rules.
the time commitment required to play this game is significant – we’re talking 2-3 hours minimum per session, and sometimes longer if you get extremely involved in your character’s story. This is perfect for our regular Wednesday night group, but it would certainly be difficult to simply pull this out of a bag whenever you have 30 minutes to kill between classes.
cost-wise, this is a relatively expensive game – similar to purchasing a textbook. I rationalized this cost by telling myself that it would replace multiple smaller games in our collection, but this is certainly not something that everyone can buy lightly. The expansions are similarly priced, although Jake claims they are well worth the additional investment.
what is impressive is how well the solo mode functions. I have completed several solo sessions when I couldn’t sleep, using multiple characters, and it is actually enjoyable. The enemy AI system is simple yet functional, and there is something pleasing about figuring out how to manage the diverse abilities of your individual characters without assistance.
character customization hits that same sweet spot as the video game. Throughout the campaign, your character continually receives new equipment and abilities that allow you to specialize in different areas. My thief character began fairly generic, but she is now a lock-picking/trap-disabling expert who can essentially scout ahead for the entire party. Every player’s character feels unique and valuable.
this game is at its best when you have a committed group of players who are willing to invest in the campaign format. Our Wednesday night crew has developed into a close-knit unit, both within the context of the game and outside of it, and I believe the ongoing story has improved our friendships. There is something special about shared adventures, whether they be actual events or fictional events, that unites people.
that being said, this is certainly not a game for everyone. If you are primarily interested in quick, casual games or are not a fan of the fantasy genre, this may not be the right fit for you. Those who prefer more strategic control of combat may find the dice-based combat to be frustrating. Additionally, due to the campaign format, you cannot simply invite random people to join in on a whim.
but as an ambitious attempt to bring the spirit of a beloved video game to life in the medium of a board game, it succeeds far beyond what I anticipated. This is one of the most frequently requested games in our collection, and we are already planning to begin a second campaign once we complete this one. For a game adaptation that I initially dismissed as a money-grabbing scheme, it has become one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences I have experienced in college.
if you are part of a dedicated gaming group, and are seeking something with more narrative depth than your average board game, this is certainly worth considering. Simply be aware that you will need to dedicate time to the game, and possibly become entirely consumed with your character’s story arc. Trust me on that one.
Meeple Power is all about celebrating the joy of board games—great stories, clever mechanics, and big laughs around the table. We cover everything from easy-to-learn gateway games to deep strategic epics, shining a light on the creativity, community, and occasional chaos that make tabletop gaming so much fun. Whether you’re rolling dice, flipping cards, or arguing house rules with friends, we’re here to keep the game night spirit alive.