Thanks for the comment! I’m a huge fan of the Metal Gear series (both the original NES game and the MGS games on PlayStation), so I’m hoping to tackle the Metal Gear board game in the months ahead. Enjoy Dead Cells, and if you want to learn the system, the implementation on Board Game Arena is a great place to start.

Great writeup!

I wrote this review a while ago, so I read it again keeping your question in mind, and I’ll tell you what, Whycantreviewersactuallyreviewagame, this may be an unusual review, but it talks about the gameplay, it points out sources of tension, it covers the efficacy of the solo mode, it talks about the thoughtful ways in which the game design is rooted in the real history of the event, and its primary focus, implicit in the premise of the piece, is that the game is a good entry point into historical board games. Seems like the actual review is right there if you’re willing to read it in good faith.

I guess more vibrant colors and feel-good mechanics really do sell.

Is a coffin “useful”? What about a taco? It’s kind of obvious that an apple is “round.” But what about a wheelchair? Some might see that as obvious in its own right.

Yet this game can be really fun — and seems to be often. Grappling with the fluidity of those categorizations is lots of fun as a challenge, even as the knower. And every moment can give a dramatic and interesting reveal — when your guess was confirmed as correct or (also a joy to see) when it was wrong in every way.

Also, as a counter to your example of a player placing all their cards in one turn (as a good thing; they won), my friend had this happen as he played all his cards and won, completely by accident. He took this to the mean the game has problems because he so easily stumbled into a random win.

I think, all told, this may become one of those “love it or hate it” games — or maybe “love it or feel ambivalent about it.” Ambivalent in relevant fundamental firmament.