Fantasy Flight Games Murder at the Excelsior Hotel Arkham Horror LCG Exp, Mixed, Scenario Pack - 5

I am quite new to board games and I wanted something interesting to play with my flatmate during the lockdown. The game is quite challenging and offers different difficulties. Even though the campaign felt a little bit short (about 2 hours for each of the 3 scenarios), no campaign feels the same because of the option to choose different characters and difficulties, as well as options that have their consequences and resolutions. As with all luck-based games, it can be quite frustrating at times but nothing too crazy.PROS: co-operative (you all play against the game rather than each-other), quite dynamic, fast-progressing rounds; interesting and detailed storyline to really enhance the role-playing experience; beautiful artwork; good mechanics for beginners; customisation options with DLCs and expansion packs;CONS: game rules can be quite tricky and hard to learn at the beginning, we had to look up a few instances online; if you're looking for a long-winded, intricate campaign then this is definitely not the game for you (although with DLCs and expansion packs it could be); luck plays a big role so no matter how good you character is you can still lose; some cards have weird wording on them so it's useful to look up online what they meanOVERALL: I would definitely recommend this game if you're into similar role-playing, storyline games.As for the materials themselves, the game looks well-made and printed on nice stock :).

You can easily get by with just the one core set for the game, but I wanted to buy a second core set as I felt that the extra copy of cards for 'Agnes Baker' in particular was definitely needed. For example there is a spell called 'Shriveling' which has four charges. That's pretty much the only way that Agnes and Daisy (the Seeker investigator which can use Mystic class-cards) can reliably do damage to enemies. So if you can't find that one copy of the card you feel pretty helpless, especially Daisy given her low evade/agility stats and health.It is a fantastic game however. I was not a fan of the whole Cthulhu mythos but I am a fan of co-operative board games. Having played Netrunner for a couple of years, I was curious as to how a co-operative Living Card Game (LCG) by Fantasy Flight Games (FFG) would work. Having watched the demo online last year, I was sold. There is great depth in the core set, which gives you enough classes/investigators to try out before deciding on whether purchasing a second core set (which was my case) and/or 'The Dunwich Legacy' big-box expansion. From there, you can purchase the monthly mythos packs to continue on the story which starts with 'The Dunwich Legacy' box.Scales well from one to four players; great game to play solo or even with your significant other.Just a word about whom I purchased the game from: My friendly local game store had been unable to get the game in stock (given it's popularity) and found 'Shop4World' selling the game around £5 cheaper than everyone else. Surely too good to be true? Turned out much better than I thought!Ordered around 11pm on Thursday night, arrived on Tuesday morning over a bank holiday weekend in Ireland. Delivery was so fast, the money for my purchase hadn't left my account by the time it had arrived! Delighted with the speed of delivery (as you might know) and cheaper than most other suppliers. Could not be happier!

Lets get the negative out of the way firstThe cons:It has a very steep learning curve, I recommend watching some YouTube videos there are a load of them(the Arkham Chronicle ones are very clear and entertaining to boot) but once you get your head around them you'll be okay.It's brutal... prepare to fail. I have no idea how anyone could survive on hard or expert! But it is very tough.Okay now lets get positive. You maybe wondering why I've given the game 5 stars with cons. It's because once you learn the rules it's not a problem and if I went through the story in one sitting it wouldn't be any fun at all, but for you if you get frustrated with games you can't pick up right away or that are tough on you maybe this isn't the game for you.The Pros:The story is very well done. The artwork on the cards is excellent. The gameplay is loads of fun with unpredictable events and challenges. Don't worry about replay value. Okay once you have played through the first time you will know the story but trying it with different characters and difficulties + deck building and fan made scenarios on boardgamegeek will keep you busy

Arkham Horror: The Card Game is an immersive and thrilling game that offers an exciting experience for players who enjoy strategy and adventure. My partner and I, who are new to this type of game, initially found it challenging to understand the rules and mechanics. However, after watching some instructional videos, we were able to fully immerse ourselves in the game and truly appreciate its depth and complexity.The gameplay involves a combination of strategy, exploration, and storytelling that keeps players engaged and invested in the outcome of the game. The variety of characters and decks allows for endless replayability, as each game offers a unique and exciting experience.One of the standout features of this game is the high-quality artwork and design. The attention to detail in the cards, tokens, and game board creates an immersive and atmospheric experience that draws players into the world of Arkham Horror.Overall, Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a challenging and rewarding game that is well worth the investment. While it may take some time to fully grasp the rules and mechanics, the payoff is a thrilling and engaging experience that is sure to captivate both new and experienced gamers alike.