Mechs vs. Minions explained
| Mechs vs. Minions |
| Designer: | Chris Cantrell, Rick Ernst, Stone Librande, Prashant Saraswat, Nathan Tiras |
| Publisher: | Riot Games |
| Image Caption: | Box cover art |
| Players: | 2 to 4 |
| Playing Time: | 60 to 120 minutes |
| Random Chance: | Medium |
| Skills: | Resource management, Planning |
Mechs vs. Minions is a 2016 cooperative board game published by Riot Games set in the League of Legends universe.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Gameplay
Components
Mechs vs. Minions is a cooperative game, where players support each other by planning and sharing commands to control mechs to achieve a goal. Each player has a Command Line, consists of 6 slots. Players play Command Cards into these slots, and then execute the commands in order from left to right.
The commands stay mostly unchanged, and are changed bit by bit each turn. It is important for players to plan ahead, use the right commands, as the danger and tension ramps up.
Game Terms:
- Command Line: A storage for a Mech command cards.
- Command Cards: A command player can put on their Command Line.
- Damage Cards: Penalty cards for taking damage in the game. Some gives immediately effects, while others take up a Command Line slot and have ongoing effects, making the Mech harder to control.
- Crystal Shards, Bombs, Lava Wall Cardboard: Several Objectives of the Games.
- Map Tiles: Cardboard tiles that make the map of the game.
- Mechs: Player units.
- Minions: The main enemies of the game.
During Play
Game are split into three phases:
- Player Phase: This phase is when the player plan and execute the command lines for the robots to work.
- Minion Phase: The main and common enemies of the players are the Minions. They move, spawn and attack during this phase.
- Danger Phase: A special phase during which the campaign mechanic progress, for example, lava wall or Boss.
Campaign
Players play Mechs vs. Minions in a series of campaigns. In some campaigns, players have to protect a bomb from minions. In others, it is to escape a lava wall, or defeat the boss.
Reception
Mech vs. Minions was overall received positively. The game is praised for the creative combination of programming gameplay and cooperative play.[7] It is also praised for the high product value compare to its price. However, the game is criticized for its low replayability, when players stop after finishing all campaigns. Riot has since launched a page for players to create and share their own Mech vs Minions campaigns.[8]
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Result | |
|---|
| Juego del Año | Finalists | | |
| SXSW Tabletop | Game of the Year | | |
| Golden Geek | Most Innovative Board Game | | |
| Board Game of the Year | |
| Best Thematic Board Game | |
| Best Strategy Board Game | |
| Best Board Game Artwork & Presentation | |
| Best Cooperative Game | | [9] |
| Board Game Quest Awards | Game of the Year | | |
| Best Production Values | | [10] |
| Best Coop Game | | [11] |
|
Notes and References
- Web site: 2016-10-24. League of Legends: Mechs vs Minions review – a challenging triumph. 2021-02-14. the Guardian. en.
- Web site: Hall. Charlie. 2020-01-13. League of Legends developer Riot Games is making new board games. 2021-02-14. Polygon. en.
- Web site: Machkovech. Sam. 2017-02-18. Mechs vs. Minions review: Come for the minis... then maybe leave. 2021-02-14. Ars Technica. en-us.
- Web site: Guarino. Ben. 'Mechs vs. Minions' Is Violent, Gleeful Fun. 2021-02-14. Inverse. en.
- Web site: League of Legends board game, Mechs Vs. Minions, pits Yordles against trash mobs. 2021-02-14. PCGamesN. en-GB.
- Web site: Unboxing and playing the 'League of Legends' board game. 2021-02-14. Engadget. en-US.
- Web site: Mechs vs. Minions Review. Coop Board Game. 4 January 2017 .
- Web site: Scenario Creator. League of Legends.
- Web site: Golden Geek Best Cooperative Game. Board Game Geek.
- Web site: Board Game Quest Awards Best Production Value. Board Game Geek.
- Web site: Board Game Quest Awards Best Coop. Board Game Geek.
