The Engrossing World of Legendary Board Games

Growing up, we played card games a lot more than we played board games. As an adult, I have discovered that board games are a HUGE THING NOW! There are so. MANY. There are games for groups, games for couples, games for teams, games for single players, games where you pass a bomb around, games where you bonk people on the head with a giant blown up club*.

The first time I joined the Geek's Guild** for a board games session, I was simply overwhelmed by the number of games that they had. Literal walls filled with games. Now, I have a book library, but this was more impressive by far.

Recently, I played a game that was new to me, and as a nerd, I feel like my Nerd Card should be revoked for what I am about to admit to you; I never watched Firefly. I know, I know. I'll see myself out. But, now I have! And Serenity, and now I'm reading the Graphic Novels. But! The reason I watched it, was because I played Legendary Encounters: Firefly***. This is a deck building game, and you can play by yourself, or you can play with others. If you choose to play with others it becomes a collaborative game, where you have to work with your fellow players to play your way through each episode of the show, and try to survive with yourself and the rest of the crew intact. We played once, before I had seen the show. Then we began the campaign version of the game, and took it episode by episode. We would watch an episode, and then play the episode in the game.

It was so. much. fun. Each of the cards has a quote as the name of the card, and a drawing. Matching them up with the scenes in the show was just delightful, honestly, that's the only word I can use. It was fun, it made me want to play and watch the show, and I enjoyed every moment.

The game can take a little bit of time to set up, and if you're playing the campaign, you will need some space to leave it set up. Regardless, I think it would be a great addition to any board game collection, as you can play through more than once; as changing characters (oh yes, you get to play as each of the 8 main characters) changes the game in significant ways. I could (and probably will) play this game many times. There is somewhat of a learning curve, and the rulebook is large, but if you can handle that, 5 stars.

* Poetry for Neanderthals - you have a card, and you have to describe the word on it using single syllable words, so your partner can guess the word. Use a multi syllable word? The person next to you will bonk you (gently!) with the blown up club. Hilarity!

** If you want to try this out, come to the Hastings Library on the 2nd Saturday of the month. They bring games, and will teach you how to play. You don’t have to be a member of the Guild, though they’d love it if you joined.

*** This game also comes in Marvel, James Bond, and Buffy the Vampire versions (and more), if Firefly isn’t your jam.

Posted by Library Li

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