‘Blood Rage’ board game review
By Ed Appleby, Senior Columnist
5/5
Ragnarök. Just the name brings up images of burly manly men fighting for honour, Valkyries swooping into battle, and aliens voiced by Taika Waititi.
Blood rage (2015) is a land-claiming strategy game for two to four players, designed by Eric M. Lang and published by Asmodee. In the game, players build their clans, recruit mythical creatures, and invade the various realms of Viking mythology. The game lasts for three rounds, after which a realm is destroyed. Points are awarded for quests accomplished, the overall strength of your clan, and the glory you may find in Valhalla.
Despite the very metal-sounding name, the game plays like more of a combination of Risk (1959) and 7 Wonders (2010). There is a passed hand draw phase at the beginning of each round, and the multitude of ways to score points means that almost every strategy is viable. During my first play through, I managed to have my own âblood rageâ moment as my strategy completely fell apart in the second round, only to regroup and adopt a new strategy for the third that allowed me to make a good showing by the end. I also may have raged so hard I woke my host’s baby… Sorry.
The depth of the rules may be a little intimidating for first-time players, and misinterpretations may occur during the first game or two, but the overall gameplay and multitude of strategies gives the game a lot of replay value. Anyone interested in the delicate art of miniature painting will find another level of enjoyment, as the game pieces are exquisitely designed.
I probably wouldnât recommend the game to first-time players, but more experienced gamers will find a lot of depth and value in this game, especially if theyâre into complex, strategy-heavy games.
