Escape the Dark Castle - Review

[@thegblob]

I'd love to see those old Fighting Fantasy books redone in this format.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Wouldn’t that be cool?

[@aistis2188]

This game is very immersive. When you set up the game and turn the first card, that's it, I feel like tumbling through the dungeon. Not sure if up or down, until one of my characters meet their demise. I haven't yet managed to escape the castle. :)

[@orbitingdecay6797]

Still my fav gateway game. Glad to see you got round to reviewing it as you mentioned it was going to be your next review back when you did City of Chaos a couple of years ago. I'm looking forward to Escape the Dark Sector. Though I prefer fantasy settings but I feel they may return to this world.

[@TheDungeonDive]

I had a couple of failed attempts at making videos for it. Couldn’t find an angle and didn’t like how they turned out.

[@duane_313]

so kool! I love dhow you started the video just reading the card, scary stuff!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thanks!

[@olafbuddenberg4787]

I was wondering when you would review this, Daniel. I, too, love this game and also have all the stuff available for it. Thanks for making the video! However, I noticed a possible rules slip-up while you explained the rules. The player with the YOU token is only affected singularily when the chapter text shows the word "you" in bold capitals. If not, then all players have to make tests or take damage or what have you. The new game Escape The Dark Sector arrived at my doorstep two days ago (Kickstarter fulfillment). I have yet to play it but it looks just as awesome. There's new tactical options and ranged combat has been added to the game. Availability of Escape The Dark Castle is good, you can get most of the stuff, I believe, on the developer's website www.themeborne.com. A re-print is due this year also.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thanks!

[@PatrickMcTie]

I absolutely agree with you on this game Daniel. I just recently got my girlfriend and her daughter to sit down and play. Her daughter was into it from the beginning. My girlfriend though, was skeptical at first. But as we played, she was getting into it more and more. By the end, she was loving it. Awesome, thematic game.

[@TheDungeonDive]

That’s great! It is a fantastic gateway game, and one that is also interesting to gaming vets!

[@sauronguitar]

i played this game on tabletop simulator, i really enjoyed it! The game gets better with expansions

[@kwulfe]

Ok I see. I have to climb on my mountain of shame and bring this pearl to my valley of joy and have fun with it. Looks like a pretty good game. Thx for the presentation.

[@jamesmit7914]

Wow, they nailed the theme on this one. The artwork is fantastic!

[@TheDungeonDive]

It really is.

[@satmat2561]

Not according to the dice tower! Oh god, at least this review is excellent.

[@jonathan2950]

This looks awesome, but every time I find a game I want to buy it’s not easily available to buy at retail (at least here in the UK). It’s so annoying! Thanks for the review.

[@goncaloferreira6429]

Fighting fantasy vibes for sure.

[@dfwpiper1]

The collectors box is truly huge. I still can't bring myself to toss it. I think I'm a hoarder!

[@TheDungeonDive]

So much wasted space! :)

[@CinKaiDRocks]

I love this game too! I bought sleeves for these Things on their shop by the way if you want to sleeve them. :)

[@TheDungeonDive]

Typically I don’t like to sleeve my games. :). Definitely wouldn’t all fit in the small box.

[@CinKaiDRocks]

@@TheDungeonDive Okay. 😊 I use the big box.

[@TheDungeonDive]

I’d have to get rid of like 4 games to fit that thing on my shelf! Lol.

[@CinKaiDRocks]

@@TheDungeonDive Haha yeah. That is a problem 😄

[@alexmillette1054]

The look of this game reminds me of an old mac video game called Dark Castle and his sequel Beyond Dark Castle. I would be curious if it was an inspiration for this game.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Great games. I’d say the main similarity is the black and white look. Very different tones. But who knows?

[@alexmillette1054]

Maybe it’s the cover on the box that give me this impression. Anyway, awesome art, i’m very tempted to get this or escape from dark sector.

[@TheDungeonDive]

It does look like the castle from the video game.

[@matpetheny]

I was on the fence with this one - loved the artwork and atmosphere but after seeing some reviews i didnt buy it as it seemed way too random. After your review i did buy it and i don't regret. Hope there will be expansions in Polish cause the base game really screams for more content. (the only real drawback i guess).

[@TheDungeonDive]

Glad to have helped!

[@johannes9839]

thanks for the video! did you also play all the expansion? which one did you like most? would love to see more from you on ETDC. thanks, daniel!

[@TheDungeonDive]

I have played all expansions. I just mix them in so I’m not sure which one I like more. They’re all great.

[@GrungefolkBoy2010]

I literally just brought this along with the upgrade box from their website!! Looking forward to it 😁 Also, have you revisited Ravage since they uploaded rules revision? Was interested in this game, but not sure if the rules update helped change its appeal!

[@TheDungeonDive]

I no longer own Ravage.

[@Hybban]

Awesome introduction. Love the game. I should start to hunt for the expansions.

[@volkira]

New kickstarter just started the Escape Dark Castle expansions are available as addons 31.10.2020

[@Hybban]

@@volkira Bought them as soon as I posted that comment ;) But thanks for the input.

[@volkira]

@@Hybban ah Well maybe you’ll be tempted for the all in Escape from Dark Sector 🙂

[@Hybban]

@@volkira Not sure, I'm less interested in the theme. I prefer fantasy games to space ones.

[@Morbad007]

1st! sweet video gonna check it out! Thanks for the great content!

[@erebusdaniel616]

I strongly recommend playing this with background music for a way more immersive and thematic experience. The game has it's own soundtrack, but any oldschool dungeon synth / medieval dark ambient like early Mortiis, Secret Stairways or Depressive Silence would work perfectly. Here you have the soundtrack and tons of other dungeon synth / medieval dark ambient to check. kzbin.info/door/hmm356a5qe1luUsoatAgjA. For the more extreme people, atmospheric or epic black metal such as Summoning and Elffor will do wonders as well.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Yep! Great channel.

[@shawnfairbanks9339]

Where did you get the PDF for the death book?

[@TheDungeonDive]

I wanna say it was included as a reward for a Kickstarter.

[@H0TTFUDGE]

Sure it’s probably amazing the first time through but after that I’m sure it gets stale already knowing the story/text.. correct?

[@TheDungeonDive]

Nope! I've played the game a few dozen times, and it's always awesome; never gets old, it's always a huge hit. There are many great reasons why it's in my top 10 of all time.

[@jonathana6298]

I have all of the content for this. I played the hell out of it for about a week... and now I want to throw it away. It can be fun and there are *almost* enough decision-making points for it to land, but it ultimately misses the mark for me. The real question for me is if Dark Sector will be the one for me. There are a few more decisions to be made in that game and it might be enough.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Send it to me and I’ll give it away in a contest! :)

[@MrAphilipe]

I'll take it if you part with it!