The Witcher: Old World Board Game Review

The Witcher: Old World has gained attention for its extensive content and adaptation of the popular media franchise. This crowdfunded board game, along with its numerous expansions, offers players the chance to assume the role of a Witcher and embark on thrilling quests to defeat fearsome creatures. Developed by Łukasz Woźniak, this Polish masterpiece is an impressive translation of the Witcher universe into an immersive tabletop experience. Despite its size and weight, The Witcher: Old World manages to captivate players with its compelling gameplay and delightful adaptation of the source material.

A World of Adventure

The game is set in a time long before Geralt’s era, where Witchers represent different orders dedicated to battling monsters and restoring peace to the land. The goal is to earn four trophies, primarily by defeating creatures through card-based combat. The core gameplay revolves around a race, where players acquire skills, develop their characters, and engage in combat with wandering monsters. Similar to the Skyrim board game, The Witcher: Old World features various activities that trigger narrative encounters while providing resources to enhance your character’s abilities. Combat is the heart of the game, with a dynamic battle system that allows players to strategically chain abilities and deliver devastating blows.

A Dynamic and Strategic Battle System

The battle system in The Witcher: Old World revolves around players building their decks of cards throughout the game. These cards are not only used for movement but also for executing powerful attacks, dodging enemy strikes, and wielding magic. As your deck evolves, you unlock new options and synergies, allowing for strategic and satisfying combat experiences. The monsters you encounter retaliate by drawing cards that determine the level of damage or debuffs inflicted. This system, while relatively simple, provides depth and progression as players witness their characters grow in strength and skill over time.

A Race Against Time

One aspect of The Witcher: Old World that can be controversial is the pacing of the game. Some players argue that the monsters you encounter are not challenging enough, making it easy to defeat them by the end of the game. However, it’s important to understand that this is intentional and adds to the sense of urgency and competition. The game encourages players to engage in combat from the early stages, as delaying can put you at a disadvantage in the race against other players. Additionally, winning a battle against another player grants you one of the necessary trophies, adding an extra layer of tension and competition to the game.

An Immersive Multiplayer Experience

The Witcher: Old World provides just enough player interaction to create a fulfilling multiplayer experience. In addition to engaging in combat with other players, you can participate in quick dice poker mini-games and take turns controlling foes. These elements add excitement and momentum to the gameplay. However, the solo mode lacks the same level of intensity without a timer or pressure to hurry, causing it to fall short compared to the thrill of multiplayer matches.

Expansions and Additional Content

The Witcher: Old World offers several expansions, each with its own unique features. The Skellige expansion adds an island sideboard, introducing new locations and narratives that enhance the overall experience. The Legendary Hunt expansion appeals to combat enthusiasts by introducing a new boss battle system and a satisfying end game climax. However, this expansion does increase the overall playtime of the game. Another notable expansion is the box of mages, which introduces female character options and adds diversity to the base game. While these expansions offer new content, it’s important to note that the game can feel bloated and less refined with the addition of multiple modules. Kickstarter backers received additional material that improved encounter cards and enhanced the monster hunting process, which many players consider essential. It’s worth mentioning that the base game is available with or without miniatures, with the latter option reducing the cost of the game.

Despite its minor flaws, The Witcher: Old World is a well-crafted board game that successfully captures the essence of the Witcher universe. Its engaging gameplay, strategic combat system, and thrilling narrative encounters make it a must-have for fans of the franchise. With the addition of expansions and future content updates, The Witcher: Old World promises to provide countless hours of adventure and excitement for tabletop enthusiasts.