Epic Alliances Board Game Review

Did you like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom? Here’s a suggestion for one more recreation that you just’re gonna love! Read on for our Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances Board Game Review.

One of the most important loses for Disney gaming followers in recent times was the demise of Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. The immersive, collectible card recreation supplied hours of enjoyable for guests like me. We spent hours dashing across the park finding hidden portals with Spell Cards and becoming a member of in epic battles. I used to be such an fanatic that I’ve an entire set of Spell Cards so I can play the house model!

Now that Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is gone, will there ever be one other recreation that may scratch that very same Disney battle itch? I feel I’ve discovered a alternative: Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances

In this new skirmish board recreation from The Op, you’re a Summoner who varieties a group of your favourite Disney characters to face off towards an opposing Summoner. This terrific tabletop tumult captures what I beloved about Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, seeing beloved characters put up their dukes in a magical battle royal. 

I obtained a duplicate of Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances and instantly cleared off my dinner desk for a struggle. I’ve by no means performed the cell online game that impressed this tabletop model, so I can’t converse to its adaptation from digital to bodily medium. But, I’m a huge board game nerd and fellow Disney fanatic, so this was proper up my alley. 

Enough dancing round — let’s struggle! 

Photo by Aaron Widmar

Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances Board Game Review: How to Play

You have a number of vital selections to make earlier than you may start battling. First, what number of Summoners will take part on this bewitching beatdown? You can play with 4 individuals in pairs as two groups; or, simply you and a buddy could be direct opponents. 

Then, the hardest selection: Which Disney fighters will you draft for the magical melee? 

The Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances Core Set comprises eight characters: Aladdin, Ariel, Gaston, Maleficent, Demona, Sulley, Dr. Facilier, and Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey. If you personal the Turning the Tide growth, you will have three extra contenders: Stitch, Moana, and Davy Jones. 

Select three characters in the event you’re enjoying head-to-head. As a part of a group, you solely get two picks. Each one has their very own particular abilities, particular person decks of playing cards, and completely different approaches to fight. 

handbook_disney-sorcerers-arena-epic-alliances-board-game-review_aaron-widmar Photo by Aaron Widmar

You’ll discover the directions on the best way to play within the Summoner’s Handbook. This purple tome is split into 4 chapters to steadily introduce components of the sport in rising complexity. Here’s a fast overview of this wizardly wrangle works.

The purpose is to be the Summoner or group with essentially the most victory factors. You earn these by controlling golden VP areas on the world board and by knocking out opposing characters. So, you may think about how shortly the occasions on the board change into a giant “king of the hill” brawl.

On every warrior’s flip, they’ll transfer, assault, and use their particular potential. You can do that through the use of playing cards out of your deck that enhance efficiency or following the fundamental potential ranges, which helps you to save your playing cards for higher alternatives later. 

When you do make use of a card, it goes into your discard pile—and might later be redeemed to improve your characters with extra highly effective skills. 

Once a participant reaches a threshold of whole VPs, the remaining spherical finally ends up. As the spellbinding scuffle for supremacy ends, the mud settles and a winner is said. Did you come out on prime, or will you must bow to the champion?

cards_disney-sorcerers-arena-epic-alliances-board-game-review_aaron-widmar Photo by Aaron Widmar

Thoughts on the Colorful Cast of Cartoon Combatants

There are many constructive issues I can say about Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances, however let’s begin with the factor you’re most fascinated about. Obviously, to a Disney devotee, the most important attraction right here is the roster of characters.

There are some glorious inclusions within the core set that delighted my inside fanboy. Who would’ve thought that Demona would make the reduce? It’s nice that Pixar allow us to put Sulley within the struggle. And I’m at all times pleased to see Dr. Facilier get some illustration. 

Die-hard Disney followers will admire the cautious consideration that went into crafting every character’s distinctive skills and play fashion. For instance,

  • Maleficent makes use of mesmerizing magic on these in her neighborhood.
  • Dr. Facilier curses individuals, shrinking them down. 
  • Gaston punches one rival at a time, taking a giant swing together with his beefy arms. 
  • Sulley will get stronger by being close to his allies. 
  • Aladdin is stealthy and pilfers playing cards from rivals. 
gameplay_disney-sorcerers-arena-epic-alliances-board-game-review_aaron-widmar Photo by Aaron Widmar

It’s a delight to see the personalities of every character shine by. Plus, the playing cards function charming digital artwork for the entire characters that present them in motion poses. That’s much better than screencaps from current media.

While some hard-core players might have most popular plastic miniatures, I personally love these acrylic standees. They do an awesome job of capturing the animation artform and portraying characters in methods harking back to their two-dimensional designs. Three-dimensional sculptures wouldn’t have captured that as properly. 

Just don’t neglect to take away the clear movie from their surfaces!

Into the Fray: How Fun Is Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances?

Now let’s check out the meat and potatoes: the fantastical struggle. How pleasing is the sport itself?

malificent_disney-sorcerers-arena-epic-alliances-board-game-review_aaron-widmar Photo by Aaron Widmar

Every playthrough of Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances normally begins the identical means, with everybody speeding to the center of the board the place the VP areas are. But steadily, the distinctive dynamics of every struggle come to the floor as completely different assault types, card skills, and selections trigger the battle to evolve. What begins as a frantic feud turns into a cautious contest of planning your ways a number of turns prematurely. 

The core design of this skirmish recreation is streamlined and user-friendly. Some characters are extra advanced, like how Davy Jones curses himself, his allies, and his rivals. That’s not a personality I’d recommend a newbie play with, so it’d be good if The Op included a rating on every character’s complexity (like they did on Smash Up: Disney Edition). 

Luckily, you may scale down for brand new or younger gamers by sticking to earlier chapters of the rulebook that eradicate the extra advanced components like upgrading your characters and utilizing their distinctive skills. 

board-and-cards_disney-sorcerers-arena-epic-alliances-board-game-review_aaron-widmar Photo by Aaron Widmar

As a lot as I loved enjoying Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances again and again, there have been a number of qualms I had with it. The instruction booklet is organized properly (in chapters) for studying the sport however not for wanting up particular guidelines afterward. It might’ve benefitted from an index for finding particular issues.

Also, I’d prefer to see future expansions add extra methods to work together with the setting past the golden VP areas. The enviornment itself may be very plain.

Ultimately, the attraction of Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances comes—clearly—from the theme of Disney. That’s what units it aside from different comparable skirmish video games available on the market, corresponding to Unmatched, HeroClix, and Funkoverse.

characters-and-game-box_disney-sorcerers-arena-epic-alliances-board-game-review_aaron-widmar Photo by Aaron Widmar

Which Other Disney Characters Are Waiting on the Sidelines?

One of essentially the most engaging components of Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances is the limitless potentialities of growth packs that add extra characters. Turning the Tide was the primary growth, and it added some additional taste to the core set. 

The OP has already introduced its second growth: Thrills & Chills, which might be a implausible addition this October once I’m in the Halloween spirit. It provides the Horned King, Jack Skellington, and Mother Gothel. Yeah, you learn that proper—the Horned King from The Black Cauldron. Talk about fan service! 

Once you change into aware of Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances, you’ll shortly begin pondering, “I certain hope they add my favourite Disney characters!” It’s arduous to not start dreaming about which future growth units you’d need to see produced. 

moana_disney-sorcerers-arena-epic-alliances-board-game-review_aaron-widmar Photo by Aaron Widmar

Obviously, Hades and Merlin ought to be on the docket subsequent, however what different characters would you like to see added to the roster? 

My and my spouse’s vote is for a Disney Afternoon growth pack that provides Darkwing Duck, Don Karnage, and Gadget in the Ranger Plane. We’d even be glad with Gizmoduck or Wildwing Flashblade (now that can be a deep reduce!).

Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances Board Game Review: This Game Is a Knockout

Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances is of the primary few authentic video games from The Op, a writer that usually focuses on taking acquainted video games—like Monopoly and Clue—and giving them a Disney-themed therapy. 

Is this new Animated altercation a winner? I feel so! There’s already been a number of constructive buzz within the household gaming neighborhood about how enjoyable Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances it—and it’s simple to see why. 

mickey_disney-sorcerers-arena-epic-alliances-board-game-review_aaron-widmar Photo by Aaron Widmar

As a battle royale skirmish recreation, Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances packs a punch. You’re at all times on the sting of your seat as you await your subsequent flip to unleash an enormous assault or sprint throughout the board and knock out a rival. In all honesty, I loved it greater than most Disney-themed board video games, together with standard ones like Villainous, and I look ahead to many nice expansions sooner or later.

Buy a copy of Disney Sorcerer’s Arena: Epic Alliances and begin a magical struggle with your mates or household!

Our author obtained a complimentary product from the writer for overview. All opinions are sincere and recommendation has been given with the curiosity of the reader in thoughts. Thanks for tuning in to our unbiased opinions!

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