Every 100 Games Series - Heroes Wanted

In the past week or so I've attempted to stop littering, bust bootleg DVDs, and keep all the crazies in the asylum of Zeta City. One of those plays of Heroes Wanted was my 5,500th game played and so my 55th review in this series of reviews.

Game Play

In Heroes Wanted players take on their alter-ego roles of such as Captain Rocket or DJ Volcano and attempt to gain the most fame in four different scenarios. The hero that gets the most fame then gets to join the Zeta City Super Hero Team (think Avengers, just more awkward). Players do this by first choosing their hero, which has top half and a bottom half, and will be unique every game. Then a villain is chosen in a similar way to the heroes, so it'll be unique all the time and you'll end up with villains like Baron Von Skunk or Big Bad Beast terrorizing Zeta City. Then you choose your scenario, set it up, and play the game.

Each hero gets 7 cards, with one they can get later on, and each turn they either play a card or rest. If they rest, then they get to pick up all the cards they have played in the previous turns (think Mission Red Planet). Those cards allow the heroes to move around, attack the villain, henchmen, or underlings, maybe even attack other heroes and use your super power to reach the goals of the scenario. Once all heroes have taken their turn the villain attacks, heroes take damage or prevent it by playing more of their cards, and the next round begins.

Components

The action card backs are upside down, but I probably wouldn't have noticed if I didn't know that going in. Other than that this game looks fantastic. The art is perfect for bringing out the light and crazy super hero theme. The cards are excellent quality and I really like the board design that explains the scenario in a newspaper format, but at the same time is useful for actually playing the game. The henchmen and underlings are all unique wood shaped pieces. If I had a complaint at all it would be the extremely small threat marker (I replaced mine with a black wooden train). I also like that they fit a ton of stuff (it weighs a lot) in a box smaller than the normal "Ticket to Ride" sized box one usually expects with this level of game.

Strategy & Tactics

There can be strategy in this game, because for the most part the villain moves in a pre-determined format, but overall I think it is more of a tactical game. Assess the board, make your move, knock out a henchman, damage the hero, whatever you can do and try to set yourself up for the next turn. There are headlines in the game (essentially goals) in which not only do you get more points than your opponent if you complete them first, but it also gives you another bonus off your hero card. Timing when you get these headlines and thus the extra bonuses can be extremely important and strategic part of the game.

Overall

I'm really loving this game so far. I've yet to play with the quirks, which are basically funny roles the heroes must play, turning the game into an even lighter fare. I want to play with these sometime soon, but have yet to do so. As for the rest of the game, it is my favorite super hero game that I've played. I like the tactical play of it and love that I'm a different and odd hero fighting a different and odd villain. I'm also impressed with going the scenario route, instead of a the same city map over and over, it makes the game even more unique. Heroes Wanted is a game that I'm glad I wanted enough to kickstart and now own.

Recommendations

Super Spouse Gamers - This is one to pull out if your spouse is a super gamer. The best part about it is that you can avoid the player vs player attacking that in the game and just play it as a more competitive co-op.

Comic Book Fans - Personally I think this is the best super hero game available right now. I'm not into co-ops like Sentinels of the Multiverse. Legendary is a good game, but not really one that jumps out with the theme, then there is DC Deckbuilder which is a joke as far as the super hero theme goes.

Villain of Strategery - I can see serious strategy gamers being a bit turned off by this one. One of the types of heroes roles dice for their super power, the quirks could really bother such a person (which is one reason I haven't used them quite yet), and the PVP can throw wrenches in your plans.

*Every 100 Games Series - Back in March of 2006 I began tracking each session of the various board and card games I play. I soon got the idea to write a review on every 100th game I played, one because I like writing reviews, and two because it is interesting to see what game I review next. You can find a list of all of them here: Every 100 Games Series Reviews. All images are from BGG and if you follow their URL you can find them there.

Every 100 Games - Saint Petersburg

My 5,400th play was Saint Petersburg, which is a game that I've played several times over the past 6 or 7 years. I recently was given a copy as a gift (thanks Aristides!) and so played one of the "Best of Three" series my wife and I play on occasion. Here is the review of this older game that is coming back into print soon.

Game Play
Players are trying to score victory points by hiring workers, building buildings, and recruiting aristocrats to their side. I make it sound really cool, but basically it is a Euro game where you are managing your money to get cards to get money and points each turn. There are four phases each turn in which workers, buildings, and aristocrats all activate on their appropriate phase giving you their money or points. The fourth phase has upgrade cards, which upgrade the three types of cards, but that phase doesn't activate their abilities. Once a single type of card runs out, the game ends at the end of the turn, and the person with the most points wins. The end game scoring is the aristocrats, which the more unique ones you have, the more points you get.

Components
The box art and the card art is very Renaissance Russia. However, the board is really plain and pretty much not needed. This is a card game. The score track doesn't leave a lot of room for multiple pieces on the same space. Mostly this is a really plain game that if made today, probably would have a bit more flare.

Strategy & Tactics
You have to get some workers early to have a chance. The rule book even says get two workers on your first two rounds, so as not to fall behind. Then as you are purchasing workers and buildings you have to try and make the right tactical choices each round, depending on what you think your opponents might do, in order to save the most money and get even further in the game. Setting yourself up to get unique aristocrats by making sure you get a chance to buy one each round is important as well.

Overall
This game really falls short for me. I've tried it and tried it, but it just doesn't do it. You can make a single mistake in the first 3 turns and be out of the game. It snowballs so much that the single mistake is a huge disparity at the end. What makes it worse, in my opinion, is that sometimes you can get behind in this snowball game from no decision of your own. Rather just pure luck. If the start player gets a chance for a couple really cheap workers and you have to pay extra money for yours you are in trouble. It is even worse if they get an observatory on their first turn, thus getting another worker, and 50% more income than you going into the next turn. This game is just not one for me, though I'll keep it in my collection for those that do really like it in my group.

Recommendations
Dour-Faced Old Men - This is the game for you. You'll look especially dour playing this one.

New to the Hobby Gamers - New gamers to the hobby tend to try and go back and play the classics. Overall, I think many people would say this one is a classic, but I will suggest there are many other classic games to try instead of this one.

History Hipsters - Nope, this isn't for you either. It is too old, it is popular, and really it doesn't teach you a whole lot of history.

*Every 100 Games Series - Back in March of 2006 I began tracking each session of the various board and card games I play. I soon got the idea to write a review on every 100th game I played, one because I like writing reviews, and two because it is interesting to see what game I review next. You can find a list of all of them here: Every 100 Games Series Reviews. All images are from BGG and if you follow their URL you can find them there.