Castle Ravenloft Review - with Tom Vasel

[@wolfpackee]

My family has played this about 5 times. The kids love it and even my wife has enjoyed it. It's a Dungeon & Dragon themed game without all the complexities of the full pen & paper game. Plus, it only take about an hour so it's not a huge time investment

[@Rhino10e]

"Whatever, it's their dungeon I would assume that they would anyway” Love it!

[@Fallen_BDPS]

So funny haha

[@mjuad]

Yeah, the enemies are spawned with monster & event cards. The player who explores that tile controls the monster based on a set of rules for how the monster behaves. It's a fun little dungeon crawler, but if you come from having played D&D in the past, it leaves a lot to be desired. That being said, my girlfriend loved it and I'm slowly pushing her towards playing a real tabletop RP game! A good intro for people who have never played an RPG before.

[@ReploidArmada]

I have a special link to this game. I was at PAX Prime this year and many people were raving about Castle Ravenloft. On Sunday, I decided to forgo starting the day at the exhibit hall and decided to play tabletop instead, this game being the first I played. I then bought a copy of it not 15 minutes later. I've since taught many friends and acquaintances how to play the game, and all of them have remarked that they enjoyed the game and that it is not only interesting, but also easy to learn.

[@Lordmordisquitox]

I own the game and I like it, I could not help myself when I saw all the beauty of it's components. As Tom said it is a co-op but to me it is still a dungeon crawl. CR is a lite version of D&D4E that I am using to get people interested in moving to the role playing field but it is still a boardgame and not a roleplaying game. Also encounter cards come up when a tile has a black arrow...

[@WonderCreationStudios]

Wait a minute. What happened @ 1:34 ??? Literally like half a second later it almost sounds like someone says, "NOPE!" interrupting you. I didn't even notice that immediately until I had my headphones on. It was really weird and I have no idea what it was. I listened to it over and over though. Really strange.

[@egamruf]

+Wonder Creation Studios Pretty sure it's the word 'new' but distorted by something.

[@southernknight9983]

Surge value is something "NEW." Not nope. He did say it strangely.

[@usernametaken2511]

Man this brings back memories. I was a huge fan of this channel, and would buy a game based on these reviews.

[@BlueSapphyre]

My favourite dungeon crawl. I love this game!

[@ORCA4312]

@mysticx0 I got into D&D in the late '70s when AD&D was released, and aside from the general concept of exploring and fighting monsters, the only rule system that appealed to me was the spell memorization of magic users (which many players hated). I wanted a much better combat system which allowed heroic actions, like you would see in fantasy books/movies. A quality DM could improvise such things, but DMing is so much work in the first place, that many just weren't up to the extra work.

[@Dann7000]

At 8:39 I almost thought you were gonna cuss Tom. Great review, great to have you back up and running.

[@GameBrain321]

I want this set sooooo badly! But where ever i find it,it is like 60 bucks! Im only 13 so thats like 1,000 bucks in our eyes!

[@GameBrain321]

oh wow im 16 now and totally forgot about this comment. memories

[@Sacrilege83]

Did you get the boardgame yet?

[@southernknight9983]

Christmas present!

[@jackreacher4297]

Christmas and birthday and mow yards for 10-25 bucks G

[@xXN0cturnXx]

how do 60 bucks look now for you? :D

[@8BitAvatar]

@andyschiller The new monsters revealed always get the jump on you. Some people don't like that, but when you think about it, if you're always able to keep attacking them before they even get a chance themselves, there's a good chance you'll always kill them first, thus, removing a lot of the challenge and tension from the game. Players have at least 6 hp in the game. Excluding the villains, monsters have 1-2 hp, and most players' attacks do 1-3 damage (depending on the power you use).

[@Adragos17]

This was a very nice and wonderful review! Thanks! I have Wrath of Ashardalon and want to get this. I believe these board games are best on 4th Edition Dungeons and Dragons.

[@Lordmordisquitox]

@bakes789 depends on the encounters, monsters and so on. average crawl goes from 9 -13 tiles and about 60-90 mins of gameplay after setup.

[@RattyRandnums]

Only if you get lucky/the enemies roll very bad listen checks, a guy in heavy plate clunking around can be easily found whether he's loaded himself down with invisibility potions or not. Unless he's somehow got even rarer magic items. Also I personally find that "unconscious and dying" for -1 through -9 hitpoints makes more sense than everyone automatically dying as soon as they pass out. And the associated XP loss (and many scenarios where you can't ress) balance out the ability to resurrect.

[@bengalifan]

It is, it's very very close to 4e. Of course luckily for me, I love 4e if for no other reason than a level 1 mage isn't "fire one spell and become team cheerleader".

[@sandal_thong8631]

I liked Warhammer Quest from 1995 and this is similar with no DM except the adventures are better here but you're not getting a lot of new good stuff (a +1 might never pay off on a 20-sided die) and it's not a campaign. After I played a couple times I complained to someone and they suggested Descent. I played two campaigns of Descent one-on-one and the advantage went to DM. During the pandemic I got Castle Ravenloft out again to play solo (with 2 characters) and ran through the adventures (including 3 downloadable ones), but got stopped by the last, where I needed 3 heroes to win. So I might try it again with other players.

[@jondoe4741]

You can still pick up a copy of this. Just did myself worth the 60 bucks

[@reddyredrooster]

Hey Tom - this is hte first of your Green Screen reviews I've seen - LOVE IT!!!! Really starts the review off beautifully. I don;t think tkhe blurriness around hte edges is disconceting at all - it's not a warners bros movie. Keep up the great work - love your reviews nad your podcast. This one will be on my secret santa list for sure!!

[@d4rk0s]

One of the biggest hits this year and well deserved. If you don't know yet its sold out. All the pieces that WotC had is out there. If you want it buy it now cause its going to be re-release at 2011 (we don't know yet exact date). I just love this game and of course i have pre-order WoA.

[@Unregistered.HyperCam.2]

Nice review. I've played 4e several times, usually DMing but I like playing it both ways. I'm usually DMing with people that have some familiarity with at least some background in role-playing(mostly 3.x), but very few have tried DMing, even in 4e. However, this and the other box set(can't remember the name) have gotten some players at the FLGS an interest in DMing. Came here to see what you said about this game. Looks like something the players will like, and will let me play for once. =)

[@LMMEjsmith]

@beelzboss34 apparently they are bringing several of the older settings back, with a bit of tweaking, or a lot, depending on the setting, and adjusting them for play with the 4E rules. Which is better is always a matter of opinion though. Since i've played none of them.... hehe, i don't really care which is better, i'd go with whatever is cheapest.

[@Beckikaze]

Good review. A friend of mine has the problim with it, that he misses the character developmnt during the adventure. I like this game too because of the interaction between the players and the potential of discussions. :) Good review Tom.

[@RattyRandnums]

I'm the kind of player who likes to roleplay rather than concentrate purely on combat/DPS, and recognizes that logically some classes will be better at certain tasks than others. The only magic classes I like playing are Cleric and Druid. If you want to dungeon crawl/rollplay rather than roleplay that's a legitimate way to enjoy tabletop RPGs but don't put down people who like to concentrate on out of combat and passive abilities to build their characters and tell different kinds of stories.

[@RattyRandnums]

And about the hampering of roleplay with 4.0 - the game was simplified to the point that your character and equipment choices mechanically have less effect on the game. Which makes your character less uniquely your own. Thus damaging the immersion of roleplay that comes with such customizability, when you can feel your character is truly your own rather than just a template someone else designed and you're sticking decals on.

[@RattyRandnums]

Also good luck getting that heal potion to spontaneously resurrect you when you're dead or revive you when you're unconscious and dying. Or getting that knock spell to sneak past guards into a place or nick that NPC's purse.

[@SunSailandSand]

True because there is no Invisibility Spell/Cloak or Potion you could use for that to sneak passed someone. And I play Dead is Dead no resurrect but hey if you want to play on a easier level hey have a blast its your game but I prefer a more challenging level.

[@SOAD525]

do you have to pick up all those pieces you throw in the beginning?

[@rickman1945]

@spites1 How much is it, i assumed it was only like 40 bucks on Amazon. Not bad considering Descent was 80

[@finelerv]

Awesome stuff. I'ma gonna subscribe. I wonder if the reviews of games are generally as positive as this one? Here's hoping...

[@FutureFrontLA]

They should made rules for how monsters work in 4.0 similar to the specific rules for each monster in ravenloft

[@RattyRandnums]

4.0 is a good, more streamlined introductory kind of game I agree. The game I loved as a kid, "HeroQuest" was very much a rollplay dungeon crawl and had the kind of low-magic setting (though it was nominally set in the Warhammer universe) and mechanics you're talking about. Using such a setting/houseruling no wizards/sorcerers seems like it'd be a good way to "balance" a dungeon crawl party. Sorry to hear you get put down for your choice in game/playstyle. Life is too short, play what you like.

[@bakes789]

how long does a typical game take to play? I have spent hundreds of hours crawling through Expedition to CR ...

[@SunSailandSand]

Funny how the D&D 3.5 Ilk say "blame the DM for that" but do not say the same when they have a bad 4.0 experience. My favorite whine is you can not RP in 4.0, now please explain why I ask? 3.5 = Have a grid map with 5 foot squares, you move your mini's, make up some fancy word to say you attack with a sword, roll dice, do damage if you hit. 4.0 = Have a map with squares, you move your mini's, use some fancy power to say you attack with a sword, roll dice, do damage if you hit.

[@ORCA4312]

@dungeon666666 Yeah. Much like Decent did. RPG systems (even in a board game) need a continuing campaign to make to really identify with your character. Of course, I always want to play the campaign rules to any game. having each session would upon the last one always appeals to me more than a single play with no future consequences.

[@DarthSailorMoo]

whats the average time length of the whole game with 6 players including a dm?

[@ORCA4312]

How much evil side resources/information is secret in the game? I am wondering if this game would be suitable for adapting to play solo.

[@addictedtominisandlovingit3912]

ORCA4312 this game can be played solo

[@jurassicpark4ever]

I HATE KZbin MADE THE FULLSCREEN SWITCH TO 480p BY IT SELF!!!!!!!!! NOW I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT BUFFERS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@shadowzrl6812]

It's been longer than 7 years! They still have not fixed it...😂

[@codykonior]

Surprised you haven't followed up with Wrath of Ashardalon yet.

[@NeoReziel]

whatching this in 2022, wondering about buying the whole series...🤔

[@ShastaHawk]

You can blame the DM for that, not the version of D&D you played. I've played the game since the late 70s, when it was originally called Chainmail, and D&D 3rd is the best fun I've ever had with the game It wasnt just D&D itself that I enjoyed but the advent of the D20 mechanic and all the open source material that came out of it

[@slimjseattle]

This is a good review. He hit the high points well.

[@KnucklesEki]

Finally, gonna do Wrath of Ashardalon too when it comes out?

[@shadowzrl6812]

It's been over 7 years and no one has replied... 😂

[@arturbb]

Yes! Thanks for reviewing this Tom!

[@shadowzrl6812]

Yeah no prob man... Fidget spinnerz

[@kustomkure]

wait, this one doesn't need an overlord?

[@PhilGerb93]

If you guys think you like this game, just buy Wrath of Ashardalon instead, it's like a new version of this game, with items buyable, new heroes and monsters, door system, etc. It's even better, trust me.

[@PlayaGonnaPlay]

Is it cold in there or is that an iphone in your pocket?

[@partypao]

I find this game strangely like Gloomhaven. The A.I. system of the monsters, even the sparse artwork of the cards!

[@grymkaft]

avalon hill? :)

[@mezzerin]

Thanks for the review Tom!

[@RattyRandnums]

"Balance" in D&D doesn't make any sense. A magic spell *should* do more damage than a sword, otherwise why would anyone bother with magic? Playing a Wizard is a trade-off, you're weak and almost helpless when you start and the Fighter has a definite advantage, then if you survive to higher levels you're still low on HP but the fighter is basically your caddy. Besides a class's worth is defined by its role, which isn't always in-combat damage. A Cleric heals, a Rogue disarms traps/steals etc etc.

[@CyberKlown28]

Is this good for rpg beginners who never played one before?

[@SunSailandSand]

But Ratty it is the Roleplay players that seem to be the most vocal at putting everyone else down, so I say they need to look in the mirror before they go asking for clemency. I DM for my kids and there friends and they highly enjoy 4.0 and I actually find it fun as well because it seems all players have there bonuses and weakness at any level. I can not say the same for 3.5 because Magic classes are so over powered that usually anyone not being a magic class are fodder and that is not fun.

[@Balgore8]

Good review. Thanks

[@musicismyfavorite777]

As a basic coop game, it's fun. Not much to it but it's fun. BUT if you're looking for a easy D&D alternative. You won't be happy. Honestly these games don't even deserve the D&D name. I mean obviously nothing compares to playing Dungeons and Dragons but these games are essentially a dumbed down, combat exclusive version of 4th edition. Still comes no where near the excitement though. Would rather play Shadows Over Camelot or the like

[@cuzza4321]

when naming the characters he is like "the dwarf cleric, the human ranger, the... (wtf is that) the wizard, the rogue the dragonborn." hahahah

[@Kanexh]

DRAGONBORN!!!!! A dragon?! In skryrim?!

[@aliburney4072]

so an argonian

[@SunSailandSand]

"Balance" in D&D doesn't make any sense." You pretty much explained what type of player you are with that short sentence. Heal Potion, Knock Spell What was it about those class worth's you where saying again?

[@ORCA4312]

@finelerv ANYONE interested in board gaming should subscribe to this channel and Scott Nicholson's. They both have MUCH helpful and amusing information.

[@Akco007]

It is 4th edition.

[@SunSailandSand]

Now where in there is there any restraint on doing the same EXACT RP'ing as before? Clowns who play Wizards are just mad that in 3.5 they can do far far far more damage then anyone else and in 4.0 they balanced things where all classes have the ability to do some massive damage so the Clown Brigade threw a hissy fit and stomped off mad because the game did not center around them. Be honest, and get over yourselves already.

[@lordvalgarX]

He didnt like World War Z board game and hated Vasco da Gama

[@30LayersOfKevlar]

Duel of Ages tie !

[@TheReper1210]

of course not, OBVIOUSLY all he has to do is press rewind and its all better. what kind of question is that?

[@beelzboss34]

I thought this was a campign for 3.5

[@mysticx0]

@AndrewDBarker its just my opinion thats all...ive played since the original D&D (over 25 years) then ad&d, then 2nd and so on. its just so overcomplicated, too slow, not enough role play and too much focus on the actual battle than role playing. the rules cyclopedia is the best d&d book ever in my opinion, i just cant get into 3rd or 4th....

[@ORCA4312]

@AndrewDBarker Money grab, man. it will never end...4.5 ed, 5th ed. Brought to you by the company which made Magic:the Gouging.

[@MrJAV1999]

poor dice

[@AustinKiefer]

SHUT THE DOOR

[@Keldorl]

Your reviews are great, but this game loooks as boring as hell, mimics on a board a bad pc game in my opinion

[@JamesDarcon2007]

Good review, next time please cut the kid crying out in the background, very distracting ... :-/

[@mysticx0]

seems like a more expensive, over thought (and since its 4th edition....crap!) version of the cardmaster from the old AD&D.

[@ToshimonsterRealm]

IT ISNT A BOARD GAME BASED OF D&D, THE D&D ONLINE GAME IS BASED OF THE BOARD GAME N00B

[@thedicetower]

I apologize for being a N00B when it comes to board games.

[@ToshimonsterRealm]

lol

[@guitarkUngf0o]

ToshimonsterRealm You realize it's based of the RPG table top? Table tops are different to board games, noob.

[@ToshimonsterRealm]

ok, but you cant even spell N00B correctly.

[@guitarkUngf0o]

'Noob' technically doesn't have an official spelling. As long as we know the meaning it can be spelled as anything such as 'zCr' as long as we both know. :P

[@jonswift6173]

The game is terrible and really only fit for under 12 years of age