Designer: Andrew Fischer & Nathan I. Hajek
Players: 1-4
Age: 14+
Time: 2-3 hr.
Description: Based on the post-nuclear adventure video game series by Bethesda Softworks, players explore a land of unknown dangers attempting to complete their objectives. This is Fallout!
For anyone interested, I will add links to anything that I purchased online.
Started out bad:
To be honest, this title was not very good with just the base game in a competitive manner. I decided that since I still love the Fallout world and lore, I would play it solo for awhile and then eventually make some co-op rules. At first, I was enjoying the quests, getting immersed in the lore, and exploring the different maps. However it didn't take long to realize that the Faction Track was skewed. Games became a struggle to complete the side quests because if I wasn't focusing on the main quest, I'd lose almost every time.
Got better:
Right when I was about to shelf the game again, I heard about the Atomic Bonds expansion! This small expansion fixed some of the main problems by adjusting the Faction Track rules and adding a co-op die that another player rolls to assist in actions. At this point, I'd say Fallout The Board Game is great for solo or co-op play!
There is also a New California expansion, but I have not purchased this (yet).
Still missing something:
My friend was interested in playing it with me, but had never really gotten into the video games or lore. As I was reading the quest cards (which have lore), I realized they didn't contain enough lore to explain to new players what was actually happening. Like we all do, I took to the internet and read many forums where people complained about the game. Their biggest issues were that the scenarios had anti-climatic endings and the lore was tailored to existing Fallout fans.
New solution:
My solution was to write up my own little supplement which I call a Campaign Guide. This supplement adds more lore to each scenario, helping new players start the scenario with some history of the world. Also included are rewards which vary depending which faction you choose to support in each scenario. These rewards help you progress through the rest of the campaign. Find it here!
Currently, the supplement stops after the "Into The Pitt" scenario, but I'll add to it once i purchase the New California expansion.
Pros & Cons:
Pro: Aesthetics. I love the Fallout art on box, cards, character boards, tokens, and rules booklets.
Con: The booklets themselves struggle to be very clear on some rules and I felt like I was often jumping between the two trying to locate specific issues.
Pro: Character boards. The boards are very thematic, the double layer is nice for holding pegs and tokens, and it's clear where to put your item cards.
Con: Pulling the pegs in and out wears on the cardboard holes quickly.
Pro: Characters. The base game includes the main types: Brotherhood Outcast, Ghoul, Super Mutant, Vault Dweller, and Wastelander. They include detailed miniatures and starting equipment/abilities.
Con: The miniatures do not come painted and you must purchase the New California expansion to get five more characters.
Pro: Hex map. The hex shaped tiles fit together nicely, the red/green backing is helpful, and the location art is pleasing to look at.
Con: Individual map spaces can get cluttered by enemy tokens.
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