TableStar continues to put out games that are compatible with their HeroCard system. I like the combat system that forms the core of each of these games and enjoy it most when it is combined with a strategic game with a bit of minor complexity. HeroCard: Nightmare (TableStar Games, 2007 – Nico Carroll) has a completely different look from the other games in the series, as it is a dark game with a nightmare theme. It's the first game to come ready-to-play with four characters and has a modular hexagonal board.

It's really hard for me to quantify exactly how I feel about Nightmare. The actual game mechanics are that of a deduction game mixed with combat. This works well - the game is probably the best designed game of the series so far - and it really does a great job at presenting a tense feeling; as players move through dreams, attempting to be the only player that survives. This is wonderful; but the artwork, which is done in a very foreboding photographical way, really isn't my style. The game comes across as too dark; and while we can use humor to belay that, I just have a hard time getting folks to play this version. Folks who like ghoulish themes will be absolutely thrilled, though - the game is aptly named!

Before I talk about the game, let me explain the HeroCard engine. Each player takes a deck of cards to represent their character. Interestingly, players can use decks from the other games (i.e. I can use a Shogun deck in the Nightmare game); and other than some theme clashing, they work fairly well. Three Attribute cards are included with each deck to represent the player's Body, Mind, and Attribute "X". These cards have a number on them that ranges from "3" to "10", showing the character's strength in those skills. The rest of the cards in a deck are "Action" cards and are associated with one of the three types of skills. Cards are Fast (play whenever you want); Restricted (play on your own turn); and Exclusive (play on your turn - limit of one). Players arrange their attribute cards on the table. In a duel, a player has four phases. They first discard as many cards as they want to from their hand, then draw up to three more - not exceeding seven. After this, players "clear" up to three cards that they've played on the table, placing them in their discard pile. At this point, the player takes their one exclusive action and as many restricted actions as they can.

Most exclusive actions are attacks. The player must play one "Base" attack card and as many attack modifiers as they wish. However, each card played has a cost in one of the three attribute types. As a player plays a card, they place it on the table, where it stays until cleared. The total cost of all cards on the table cannot exceed the number of the attribute. Therefore, players who play many cards have fewer options available to them on turns. The player being attacked then may play one "Base" block and as many Block modifiers as they have room for, still making sure they stay within their attribute limits. Both players may continue to add modifiers, until they have no more or decide to play no more. If the attacker's total is higher, then they "hit" the opponent; otherwise, play passes to the next player.

The complete game adds a bit more. Each player chooses their nightmare "hero" and then each player is dealt one of seven death scene cards (joy!) and one killer card (out of five). This is the killer and scene that will finish off the player, and they are kept secret from the other players. Seven scene tiles are placed by the players in some manner, so that they are connected. The five killer figures are then placed on different tiles, and then the "dreamer" piece on one of the empty tiles. One player is chosen to go first, and play proceeds clockwise.

On a player's turn, they will follow the normal HeroCard rules, but they also can perform three moves. They may move the dreamer figure, one of the killers, or even move one of the scene tiles to a new spot (although following a few placement rules). Players are attempting to move the dreamer to a scene and/or with a killer that will hurt another player. Players perform an attack to "scare" other players. If the attack succeeds, any player that is scared of the killer and/or scene must discard their hand and redraw, alerting the other players as to whether they are scared or not. If no one is scared, the killer and/or scene tile is removed from the game, moving the dreamer figure to a new spot.

Once a player has figured out the combo to kill another player, they must move the dreamer to the scene along with the killer and announce a kill attack on that player. Players have a duel; and if the defender loses, and the combo matches the cards they have, they are out of the game. If they defend successfully, they can either draw three cards or "clear" three cards. This only applies when three or four players are in the game; when only two players are left, no one gets relief. When a player is eliminated, their scene and killer is also. The game continues until only one player is left alive, at which point they win the game!

Some comments on the game...

1. Components: The plastic figures are great; I especially liked the figure in the bed for the dreamer piece, and everything else was of the highest quality. The box is small and sturdy; the cards have a good feel (despite the black borders); and the hexagonal tiles are large and thick. My only problem with the game is that the artwork seems excessively dark. Now that may seem like an obvious addition to a game with a horror theme, but I personally prefer horror games to be a bit campy, and this one is too gritty and morose for my tastes. The art on the cards is composed of two-toned pictures of doleful looking folk; and while the game is interesting, the theme almost seems to clash - especially as the plastic pawns are brightly colored.
   
   
2. Rules: The rulebook once again is split into three sections: a Quick start section, the rules for the actual board game, and a section that simply goes over the Duel rules. There are several examples and full color illustrations, and I thought the entire thing was rather well laid out. When teaching the game, I find it easiest to simply play a duel with new players first - just so they understand that - then move onto the board game. Duels are very easy, and the game is just a step up above that - easy for teenagers and adults alike.
   
   
3. Duels: Since the duels are an integral part of the game, they better be good; and I'm happy to report that they are quite fun. If a player overextends themselves on an attack, they will have little leeway to defend against an attack; so one must be careful. You can clear three cards each turn, which is a great number, because it's useful; but a player isn't always able to get rid of the cards they want to. The decks seem to be extremely well balanced, although I haven't tried the space, orc, or other games in the series' decks in this game (it would be too big of a breach of theme for me- although not as much as the other games, since I can live with superheroes having nightmares).
   
   
4. Decks: I'm very pleased that TableStar finally included four decks with the basic game (something they likely should have done from the start). Each of the decks is certainly different in feel, although they aren't as complex as some of the decks. In this game, duels are almost secondary to the basic deduction features of the games.
   
   
5. Deduction: Please realize that the deduction element here is nothing that difficult. I would rank it perhaps even below Clue in its complexity. At the same time, both the duel system and the fact that players have a good amount of control add to the enjoyment of the game. I enjoy how the dream gets smaller, and how different monsters disappear as they are eliminated. And though this deduction actually results in player elimination, the game is short enough that this doesn't matter.
   
   
6. Fun Factor, Time, Players: Unlike most of the HeroCard games, I think this one plays best with a full complement of four players (which means that it's a good thing they included all four decks!) But even still, the game is an enjoyable one with dashes of luck (the cards one draw) and a slight feel of a simple deduction system. The combat is fun, and the duel system is quick and well balanced. This, along with the guesswork as to which monster/location other players are afraid of, brings a high level of satisfaction and fun to the game.
   

So who to recommend this to? I'm not a big fan of it myself, but I must stress that this is ONLY because I don't enjoy the artwork. The game itself is one of light deduction and combat; and while the theme of the dream and monsters works, it's still too much of a clash for me. If this doesn't bother you (and I would recommend going to www.boardgamegeek.com for pictures of the game to find out for yourself), then this is a contender for the best game in the series so far. It's more board game than HeroCard Duels, and that may not be a bad thing.

Tom Vasel
"Real men play board games"
www.thedicetower.com