As a kid, I never had the Dark Tower board game, but I knew about it and thought it looked pretty sweet. I think even back then it had a rep for the electronics being pretty flakey, and these days it seems pretty rare to find a working copy. Several years ago, after introducing Delta to Barbarian Prince, he showed me an online Dark Tower simulator which was the first time I ever actually got to play the game.
I posted about it back then, and specifically opined about the general lack of smart-phone powered board games. Since then a few have cropped up, for example Harmonix’s Drop Mix, though I think it’s still an underutilized idea. I’d love to see more board games that incorporate an app run on a mobile device. I still think the idea of a smart-phone powered Hero Quest, where a virtual DM populates the dungeon and maybe even moves the monsters would be killer.
Anyway, back to Dark Tower. Recently the very clever internet algorithms have decided I would definitely be interested in this new revised version of the game currently on Kickstarter, and the following ad has been all over my browser:
OK, you win internet robot overlords, I’m in. In a rare case of self restraint I realized that it’s highly unlikely I’d play this game so much that I need all the expansions, so I only went in for the base game. I’m tickled by the idea that while it does incorporate an app for plenty of sophisticated computer-run gameplay, they still saw fit to make a physical electronic tower as well. I mean, why give up on a gimmick that so clearly worked in the first run, right?
I know, I know, I have a board game problem. The number of games that sit unplayed on my shelf is out of control. Unfortunately by the time I’ve roped enough people into devoting time to sit down and play a game together, inevitably we question why we’re not playing a roleplaying game. Nevertheless, I have high hopes for this one. When it arrives, which knowing the way Kickstarter stuff goes could be years away, I’ll be sure to at least post a review. Or maybe I’ll convince Delta to come over for a live stream of us playing it together. I mean, this is all his fault after all.
Loved Dark Tower as a kid, was my favorite board game along with Conspiracy. But once you know what you’re doing as a player so much of the game comes down to randomness (finding the keys, picking the order of the keys, whether your haggling at the bazaar works or not) that it does not hold up compared to more modern board games. It will be interesting to see what Restoration Games has done with the rules in their restore (I followed their Conspiracy update much more closely and decided I liked the original better). Could be great if they nail the rules update on this one.
When I was a kid (circa age 11-12), one of my best friends owned Dark Tower. I loved this game so much that when I was at his house for sleepovers, I would sneak out of the bed when everyone else (including my buddy) was asleep, and play the damn thing on solo mode in the middle of the night.
Years later, as an adult, I picked up a copy off eBay for $200. That was 20 years ago, and I still have it. I’ve played the hell out of it…mainly with children I’ve introduced to it (my own and others). While the game play is simplistic, it scratches very archetypal fantasy itches I have in a united theme that puts D&D’s kitchen sink to shame.
And the beautiful artwork of the lighted images…I spent a long time looking for the illustrator (Bob Pepper) to hire for a project, only to find he was deceased. However, I find his stuff SO inspiring…if I could find a copy of his card game (Dragon Master), I’d buy it just for the illos.
I don’t know that I’d pick up the new DT (though I will check out their KS), but I’ll always cherish my copy of the original game.
Sounds like there’s some strong nostalgic feelings on this one, which is not surprising. Personally I never had that – I was aware of the game as a kid, but never played it. I will be happy to report back to everyone how the new edition plays, but I’m sure my impressions will be tinged by my lack of personal connection to the original game.