Halls of Hegra | Review

[@connwom1]

Thank you for all the content you do. I love how you approach reviews. I love playing board games and the hobby has really changed since I was younger. Thanks for being there for the solo gamers like me. Sorry for the long comment, but I listened to your 3 episodes on the BGG list on Monday and on Tuesday I was doing some chores and a melody kept going through my head. I couldn't figure it out until I listened to this review and realized it is your intro music. Anyway thanks for doing what you do.

[@BeyondSolitaire]

I'm so happy you are finding my recs helpful! As a solo gamer you're never truly alone-we're all in together. :)

[@davidk6269]

Thank you for reviewing this game. I was immediately struck by the appealing art and the visually amazing board and cards. This looks like a very interesting tower-defense style of game.

[@cardboardconflicts]

Yes! Definitely a favorite solo of the year for me! I think you definitely hit nail on the head for things people might not like. Early doubt can TOTALLY mess up later game, And the turn structure because it changes based on what phase of the arc you are in is very easy to mess up your first couple plays, though the play aid is nice on the back of the rules! Great job!

[@Gitch_Games]

I love the honesty of your reviews. I find myself seeking your opinion over all others. Thank you.

[@BeyondSolitaire]

Thank you so much!

[@DaveinLedbury]

Great review Liz! I’m not sure how this flew under my radar, as it right up my street! I’ve pre-ordered the new printing and I’m really looking forward to it.

[@BeyondSolitaire]

You will enjoy it! (At least I did.) :P

[@deemich1815]

great review. totally agree it works best not played too many times in a row and I've also done that with bad doubt draws but overall a really solid game that's got a lot going for it

[@WdTPD]

Lovely review, can't wait to play my copy. About skipping a step.... ooof yeah i kick myself when that happens in some complex solo games. But I chalk it up to the narrative "there's so much going on, our people, in a panic... forgot..." it's ok, part of the experience! (right?) And I think you're right - this is a good gateway to wargames for fans of Home Alone. 🏡

[@BeyondSolitaire]

Totally just part of the experience!

[@WereNotWizards]

Wonderful Review. Thank you. The Home Alone reference is very apt indeed

[@BeyondSolitaire]

If I could get the rights to any IP for a game that might be my choice. lol

[@dennisdeckx324]

Thanks for the review! I'm very interested in this type of game, but can't seem to decide whether to buy this or Lanzerath Ridge. Thematically Lanzerath Ridge appeals a bit more to me (being from Belgium and all...) but it seems this game is being received better. It ranks a lot higher in the solo top 200 list.

[@BeyondSolitaire]

I really think it's a matter of personal taste. I said in another comment on this video that if you like bag pull and worker placement, then HoH is for you. If you want a gritty personal experience with more interesting positional choices (i.e. where to put defenders or machine guns), then Lanzerath is for you. I have and love both.

[@mrsuitcase9799]

I think my previous post was deleted (maybe because I included a link to my BGG collection?). Anyways - Question for you! Halls of Hegra, or Lanzerath Ridge? It would be my first historical "States of Siege" type game... but I do have Dawn of the Zeds, which I LOVE, so that is kind of similar (and not). Anyways, what do you think? (with no link!)

[@BeyondSolitaire]

That's a tough call, as I really enjoy both. If you want to try bag building and have worker placement vibes, definitely get Halls of Hegra. If you want to more viscerally see an encroaching enemy and have more connection with the people who are there, then get Lanzerath.

[@JogBrogzin]

Great review. I love my copy

[@molotovtiel]

"Home Alone vibe" is a great description! Immediately understood what the prep phase feels like. I agree the best solo games give you meaningful decisions, and this one looks really interesting in that regard.

[@timdertim]

Hi Liz, still wishing you a Merry Christmas! What do you think this or Pavlov's House?

[@BeyondSolitaire]

That's a brutal question, honestly it depends on my mood. If you like bag pull, this is the one. But I will always love Pavlov's House for its operational choices and nitty gritty details.

[@timdertim]

I'm sorry and thank you! Good to know that both are that good 😅

[@stevenkornegay3412]

Is the experience like Nemo’s War? What other pure solo games would you liken it to? Thanks!

[@BeyondSolitaire]

It feels like an extension of David Thompson’s Valiant Defense games.

[@stevenkornegay3412]

I haven’t played any of those. Which do you think is the best?

[@BeyondSolitaire]

I prefer Pavlov's House but Castle Itter is also great and is the most accessible. But honestly I would just go straight to Halls of Hegra, it's a fantastic game and one of my favorite solo wargames of recent years.

[@matteomaran4998]

Great review!

[@LetsPlayHistory]

Great and difficult game. Would have loved if the defenders had character, so that you might get more attached and add to the narrative. They felt like an exchangable resource to me, rather than humans.

[@BeyondSolitaire]

I can see that, although I also understand the decision to streamline as there is a lot going on in this one.

[@LetsPlayHistory]

@@BeyondSolitaire I talked to Petter about it. Interestingly, he initially actually wanted to represent the historical characters, but would have wanted to get permission from the descendants, which he found too cumbersome, but at the same time thought in inappropriate to use fictional characters.

[@BeyondSolitaire]

Interesting! Thanks for the info.