Renegade Solo: What the Hack!

[@joshb4613]

I backed this game on Kickstarter, all in. One of the first I backed when I was into the hobby. And I didn't mind it, but since other games have come along, it gets harder to bring to the table. It's funny that I came across it a few nights ago while reorganising my collection. I took this game with me when I was away from home for a year. It is a small boxed game with a lot of gameplay inside it. But the lighting conditions at my temporary residence made any sort of gaming hard thanks to shadows being cast everywhere. Last time I tried to play it, I ended up falling asleep. I definitely get the criticism you have of it.

[@joshb4613]

Also this game sits in a space with other small boxed games like Warhammer Quest Adventure Card Game (and Heroes of Terrinoth after Fantasy Flight lost the license). I do wish I lived closer so I could send you some of these older, out of print games that would make for an interesting diversion. And yes, even Runebound 3rd edition sits in that same area of my cupboard.

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

What's up, Josh! Yeah - if you factor in the number of high quality solo games that have emerged since Renegade was first published, I can see how it gets squeezed pretty hard. I do think a 2nd Edition would have the chance to be pretty awesome but IMO the game needs a full rework in several aspects as opposed to just some tweaks. Meanwhile, the older games definitely intrigue me as an experience, even if very few have aged well. One of these days I'll get a chance to play Runebound 3rd. :)

[@drewgrgich]

Just found this game intact at a local Half Price books for a steal! Excited to give it a try.

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Awesome! Enjoy exploring it!

[@mrsamtheman80]

There is a newer version coming out soon, although I could not tell you when “soon” is.

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Yes, I have heard the same thing for at least 2 years now... :)

[@schrankp]

So I have the dubious distinction of turning you on to two games that were one and done for you! Saltlands and Renegade for the loss~~

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

Ha! Well, yes and no - I actually see the two very differently, as Saltlands just didn't land for me on really any level. Renegade was on my wishlist for a while so I was really happy you helped me get my hands on a copy. And, make no mistake, I did enjoy exploring Renegade a fair amount...just not enough to feel any need to keep it around. To me, Renegade does a lot of interesting things but just doesn't deliver a consistent challenge (some games are absurdly easy and some are just impossible) and I would very much prefer some tweaking to take the focus off scoring and put the focus more on achieving satisying victories, especially with the swinginess of the infect dice and the randomness of the new sparks step. In the end, this leaves me with a feeling that Renegade is a good game...but just not a great game for me. That said, I did play a lot more Renegade today before sorting the game and putting it on my sell pile. The promo scenario card that you can find on BGG is a very well designed challenge. A book of playtested and balanced scenarios like this would likely have kept the game solidly in my collection for at least a bit longer. :)

[@schrankp]

Yeah, I really like the idea of a scenario book with set goals to win. I hope he does something like that whenever the reprint comes out. I'm not a huge fan of beat your own score either.

[@SoloPlaythroughs]

@schrankp I saw a comment from Ricky on BGG in which he mentioned something like how he kept a higher level of swinginess in the design for thematic reasons. And the game can be quick enough to allow for that. But it’s a design ideology that is a miss for me with this game, partially cause I don’t fully buy in to the hacker/cyberpunk theme.