Talisman Review - Still Worth Playing?

[@Ralph-id3xg]

I was born in 89, So I didn't grow up on talisman. A lot of people from an previous generation seems to think the game can only appeal for the nostalgia and isn't up to today's standards. However, I do enjoy talisman for what is it today and prefer it to many more modern board games. Despise the luck an unforgiveness, it is fun to sometimes have an adventure game that you can play with anybody without having to follow a class to learn the rules. It is also good to have a game that anybody can play even if they are not really into board games. The game is long, but doesn't require you to be fully invested the whole length. the gameplay is so simple, you can drink and goof around and it won't affect much your fate in the game as the gameplay is so simple. The expansions can really uplift the experience into a more serious game. I think Talisman is a classic for a reason and although it can't take the place of a good modern strategy game, those games can't replace Talisman either.

[@Jux925]

I think in Talisman, roll-n-move is a fantastic concept. It's that you are travelling this land and come to crossroad, you can go left or right ... that what the roll is giving you. The map is not round and linear where you go one way or other. It's dynamic and abstract. The roll represents where you can go in this abstract map. I like it. Secondly, bad roll can ruin your sh**t. That's a good thing! That means every encounter is dangerous. I hate when there is no risk involved.

[@KujoPainting]

'You'll end up dead before you finish' lol, just spat out my coffee.

[@legiontdlegion4648]

Me and my mates play this game, we're usally 4-5 people. And it's really fun. We've never played a game in less then 5 h. But that's okay, we know how long it's going to take, and we look forward to our talisman game we have once a month. It's really nice to just sit down one night , drink beer and play talisman. 10/10 would recommend!

[@debos17debos]

My wife and me (2-player game) finished it in 1.5 hour. Player count matters for duration in this game...i like it so much in 2024...

[@omnivoid0776]

I played it when it first came out along with others like Kings n things, warrior knights and blood bowl. I bought a copy of the latest edition a couple of years ago to play with my kids and they love it. Your criticisms are valid - it takes an age and it’s unforgiving (the raiders card is a killer, as is the hag and getting turned into a toad). Despite this, it’s still great fun - the artwork and the theme is still very appealing. There’s something about it that keeps it alive in our house - it’s light and fun but is complex enough to make every game different.

[@niadh5913]

I have talisman 2nd edition and all of the expansions bar 1. I also have the Star Wars and Harry Potter versions and the computer game. Great to play with kids on train journeys. My favourite though will always be 2nd edition. Simplest rules even with expansions, best artwork

[@crimson90]

The app for this is nice because you can play solo and only have to wait on yourself. Talisman is a boardgame version of purely "random encounters and grind to get good," and though I don't like video games like that, playing the app is soothing and fun. I haven't played this with others, but I think maybe once in a blue moon with a group of friends would be fun.

[@scyldscefing3913]

This is a tough on. I think it is still worth it. We play it maybe twice a year, but it still does not disappoint at that frequency.

[@fiacmar]

When I was a kid in the 80’s one of the guys on the street got Talisman. Other kids got the expansion packs, and we were gone indoors at the start of the summer. We were like 13 or something and made it boys only and the girls went nuts. Nuts. Then someone’s mom made us give it to them and they tried to play it and got so pissed when it never ended. That’s what we liked about it. Game ran into game ran into game, as we sat and played it and talked about the girls… lol The following summer, I couldn’t get a quorum. Stoopid girls. Now I’m getting it for my 10 year old nephew while he’s able to muster a team.

[@chrishill9195]

Great review and fair comments. I love this game massive fan still play it with my friends and they love it

[@MsNosis]

Thank you for this honest review noting both positives and negatives. I loved Talisman as a kid, but nowadays cannot stand the dull dragged out slog. A silly random roll-and-move and just see what happens kind of game (such as Talisman) can be fun for some casual 10 minutes or so, like Yatzi or similar. Any more than that, and it has greatly overstayed it's welcome.

[@WizarDru]

Pretty much agree across the board, though I doubt I'll ever play it again. There's certainly nostalgia to account for and my heart sang a little seeing all those cards, so much a part of my childhood. But the last time I played it was in college many years ago, when we set aside a Saturday and as the sun went down, 6+ hours in and no closer to a game end, we collectively looked around and said...'are we still having fun, here? Are we done? Yeah, I think we're done." Glad to hear folks still enjoy it, but I can't ever see returning to it.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

I had no idea that the second edition fetched so much. If it were cheaper I’d say go pick it up and house rule in a time limit of some sort. These old GW games are pretty good if taken at face value. Dark Future, Battle Cars, Kings and Things, Judge Dredd...worth having a look if you can find them on the cheap.

[@KujoPainting]

@@BoardGameBollocks Dark Future was great.

[@johnhatton5325]

6 hours ? I've played hundreds of games of talisman even a 12 player mega session and I've never even come close to hours.

[@Caliban071]

I think this could scratch a certain itch for some people…like me. I like adventuring and character building without all the campaigny/dungeon crawling cooperative nonsense. Games like Call to Adventure, Roll Player, Sanctum and even Munchkin. This needs further investigation but looks like it could be fun. Especially with my group of players.

[@jameswight6259]

Great review. Thanks! Saw this on eBay the other day for £35 (a typical price it seems) and unsure whether to get it. Played it once back in the 80s, but yeah, it took hours and we never finished. Seem to recall it was fun, but we were coming to it from Dungeons and Dragons so it couldn’t really compete. I was thinking of getting it to play with my daughter and nephew when they’re a bit older (I ran through a fighting fantasy book with her and she loved it - she’s 5) so I was thinking of something like Talisman as a gateway to roleplaying games. So your review has been super helpful. On balance, given the price and the time to play, I think it’ll have to be a pass.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Probably a wise move. There is a more basic version available (if that’s possible) called Talisman Legendary Tales. Haven’t played it though.

[@ri-zg7cv]

Got 4th edition couple of years ago and never played it until last week. I played digital version with my friends in the past and it was rough and tiresome just like it's described in the video. But then I played it two times on the table, with my wife. Just 2 players and base game. And it was very good! We laughed so much. I think it hugely depends on players' type. As for today, this game is not for everybody. Modern players tend to value control and tight mechanics above random generated adventures. You should be very careful when choosing a party for this game.

[@vesavius]

Talisman, or 'Mule Quest' as it's properly know, is just basic RNG have a beer fun. It doesn't pretend to be high brow or sophisticated, it doesn't pretend to be anything but the fun of being messed over by a dice roll. A lot of psuedo intellectuals hate it but... /shrug. if you can't relax and have fun with a game of Talisman then you are not probably my type of gamer anyhow. here is hoping this new edition coming this year keeps thing affordable and faithful to the spirit of the original.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

6-8 hours of being messed over by die rolls

[@marcraygun6290]

Played this loads as a teenager ,my friend had second edition, got newish version with loads of expansion but hardly played partly as board now bit huge for table

[@BoardGameBollocks]

4th edition or 3rd?

[@marcraygun6290]

@@BoardGameBollocks third I believe , my wife for Base game, dungeon, city and dragon in barnardos for 80 pounds

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Dragons tower expansion has the miniature that sat at the top of the tower

[@alphaprobe1710]

Hey, great review. Pretty much summed the game. We had some top times playing this back in the day, but you're right, it takes ages and sometimes would not be finished. By the way, have you got Cosmic Encounters? Or even a review of it on your channel? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. All the best!

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Yes mate...we reviewed this a while back. Search in our playlists and you’ll find it 👍

[@alphaprobe1710]

@@BoardGameBollocks cheers pal, I'll have a butchers 👍

[@CinKaiDRocks]

Cool video. I never understood it when people talk about outdated games though.. to me it reminds me of when people say "Why listen to Black Sabbath? The sound is so outdated".. well I just enjoy the old sound. 😄 I of course know what you mean but my point is that I don't want every game to be within the new hip modern way of doing things.. often times I enjoy the old school stuff more.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Exactly...these videos are to show how new games borrow space much from the older ones. And to see if they still hold up in the face of such fierce (often misguided) competition. Thanks for watching and taking the time out to let us know your thoughts 👏🏻

[@CinKaiDRocks]

@@BoardGameBollocks Np. 😊

[@debos17debos]

@@CinKaiDRocks exactly...clumsy Descent 1st edition is far more superior than 2ed and 3 edition. You have a real power with unbalanced items and superior overlord powers. Feeling is just playing Diablo 2 when super weapon drops. I have all expansions and handbookwith scenarios; I will never sold it and replace with newer editions.

[@Yogurt1701]

Excellent video. Seems like a good guy!

[@wow1371]

There is actually only a vocal minority in the gaming community that actually hold Talisman at such a low disregard, minority indeed but very vocal. Talisman is loved by most people on boards and forums. But this vocal minority would have you believe no one wants talisman.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Hmmm...I don’t believe I said the game was crap. I think it’s ok when judged in context for its time, but yes you’re bang on. Certain influencers who think they know best have trashed the game for the wrong reasons. I’m now going to shut up and have a nice sit down 😉

[@oleyullah]

I guess it's a legacy game of a kind, an "in" for many to the world of board gaming, RPGs, fantasy etc. The mechanics are crude and arduous, fact, the game is long.. but it's Talisman 😍 Not to like it is like not liking a Hide and Seek because there's Playstation or not liking 1970s muscle cars because there is Tesla

[@JAV371N]

This game is currently $1.74 usd on Steam during the 2019-2020 Winter Sale.... I know, online is not the same, but there are advantages for this type of game. Also, have you tried to homebrew it and see how it runs when replacing 'roll-and-move' with another, more strategically viable option?

[@BoardGameBollocks]

We don’t really house rule games too much as we like to play as the designer intended but seeing as this one is so old i don’t see any harm in it. What alternatives have you tired?

[@1MoreStep1]

Its probably still a decent drinking game with around 3 people.

[@vinizzlevinizzle6131]

The second edition (which I have) had the best art work by far!

[@vaikkajoku]

Agreed. I was shocked at how much worse the artwork is in the later editions. No contest.

[@anzaeria]

@@vaikkajoku I own the second edition and that's all Ive ever played. And I agree - great artwork on the board and cards. The artwork on the third edition looks a bit too cartoonish for me. When I saw the box of the third edition, I couldn't get over how huge it was. Games Workshop obviously put a lot of money into it, making the third more elaborate. But for me, it's also the ugliest version.

[@cherilynrangirangi9608]

Very helpful, thank u

[@LeeroyPorkins]

Have to disagree with you. I've played BOTH Talisman and Formula D. Talisman is the one in my collection, Formula D was tedious and a bit frustrating with the runaway leader syndrome. I ordered Rallyman GT as my racing game.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

That’s the new one right?

[@LeeroyPorkins]

@@BoardGameBollocks Rallyman GT is a remake of Rallyman I believe. I recently got and enjoy Talisman Revised Edition.

[@shyhalevi]

You don't fight the phantom... And it doesn't have strength of 4...(3:20)

[@BoardGameBollocks]

This has been mentioned multiple times in the comments and I’ve admitted the error. Shit happens.

[@flamingheron8017]

Well you definitely wont be fighting the Phantom as that's a stranger and is a situation encounter based on the alignment of the player haha. Although having 2nd Edition and a copy of the Dungeon Expansion and having played 4th, I'd still just go out and play the computer version of 4th. Less investment and I don't need to rely on friends to be available. I purely have got it based on nostalgia but its still fun to have and remember a simpler time.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Yea I should have said ‘encounter’ instead of ‘fight’...hey ho.

[@ImperatorZed]

No mention of 4th edition? That seems really odd.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Not really odd if I haven’t played it...😃

[@ImperatorZed]

@@BoardGameBollocks I was just wondering because the game is still in print and the 4th edition is by far the one with the most stuff out for it. Pegasus (the current publisher) just had a deal up for the German version. I paid 300 bucks for the base game plus 14 expansions and the Talisman Legendary Adventures game. It's a lot at once but quite the bargain.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

I did mention that the video won’t refer to 4th ed. Not really any point in having it if you have 2nd and 3rd

[@lucasalcover3738]

subtitules in spanish please!!!!

[@BoardGameBollocks]

How?

[@lucasalcover3738]

In the video settings you don't get the option? @@BoardGameBollocks

[@BoardGameBollocks]

No.

[@thedancingalien7766]

Us aliens play this

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Do you dance when grabbing the crown of command?

[@scyldscefing3913]

Yeah, I wouldn't buy it new either. Interesting.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Just looked at the prices on eBay. Astonishing...

[@yukonman7613]

Why are you talking like you dont want to wake your wife up?

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Because she’s asleep...😐

[@skybouldersmashYaMom]

Kingdom Hearts TALISMAN is the Best!