GAME
OF THE
DAY
Armello
Board game brought to life!
There are many ways to classify Armello. You could consider it a tabletop game, a card battler, a light RPG, or an adventure game. But the truth is, this stylish debut from Australian developer League of Geeks is all of these and more.
Armello takes its name from the fantasy kingdom in which the action unfolds – a realm inhabited by clans of anthropomorphic wolves, rabbits, bears, rats and other animals, each determined to usurp the corrupt monarch.
They’ve got their work cut out for them.
The game’s unique turn-based play is deeply strategic and challenging. As you navigate its hexagonal tiles, you’ll encounter unusual terrain and battle enemies of all sorts, using stealth to evade and tricks to misdirect. And you’ll do all this while meticulously juggling your own stats, acquiring new cards and adding more members to your party.
Like any good tabletop experience, Armello has an element of chance: To determine whether your actions succeed or fail, you roll virtual dice, complete with realistic physics.
Sometimes, you’ll come to a battle certain you can’t lose, only to have your foe squash your dreams by pulling out an item or character card (there are more than 150, all beautifully animated). Factor in that the world maps are randomly generated and you get a game that is anything but predictable.
This lovingly crafted homage to classic strategy games is visually impressive and runs fluidly, all with tight control. But there’s a lot to learn. Initially, Armello’s extensive rules and robust play systems can be daunting. But those who stick with it will be well rewarded – in more ways than one.