After writing about Age of Conan the other day, I had a dire urge to play Marvel Heroes (Fantasy Flight, 2006), the game that couldn't. Couldn't what? you ask, my astute readership. Couldn't get a following, primarily, but also couldn't get any play amongst people who liked the game. This one, as fun as it is and as theme heavy as it is, just doesn't get out of the closet enough. (Insert gay joke here, later.)
My wife: she asked me to play two-player the other day, a day after we played it with some friends! Yea! I of course said no for fear of somehow overplaying this gem, but instantly regretted it. This game needs to be played, not only more than once, but probably a dozen times to get the flow right so you can enjoy it.
The game is of course made by those crazy Italians who made Age of Conan and War of the Ring (Maggi, Nepitello etc.). They are great game designers, with a good track record, and still no one would play Marvel Heroes. Problems?
Problem One: Worst Rulebook Ever! This thing is written by the overlord at a concentration camp as it desperately attempts to steal your soul by gouging out your soft, fleshy eyeballs. It's written poorly, translated poorly and organized like my sock drawer. They all just go in, alright!
Problem Two: Fan boys (comic book nerds, which I'm allowed to say 'cause I am one) assumed it wasn't any good, so they didn't try it! Look, I'm gonna level with ya, skeeter, if you like the Marvel universe don't even read any more, just go buy the game. There's lots of fun theme to be had here.
Problem Three: The rest of you stuck up board gaming nerds (again, I'm allowed) just assumed it was beneath you because it was comic-booky or some crap. And those that did play tore it down because it wasn't as precise as games like Agricola and File My Taxes (Copyright Keith's Korner Entertainment).
Solutions? One: Boardgamegeek.com. It has a brilliant rule manual by UniversalHead and a quick and easy flow chart by MrSkeletor that will help you a great deal with rules and flow. Or just find someone to teach you.
Two: Fan boys, god forbid, were wrong about this one. The theme is extensive and rewarding for comic book fans.
Three: You're right, gamers. The game isn't perfect, but it is something that may be more valuable. It's balanced. This allows you to strategize, dice roll your ass off and curse begrudgingly across the table all with a big, fat smile on your doughy face.
What else do you want in a board game? Get through the nitty-gritty and this game is pure fun! As an aside, I also find this game perfect as a shorter, less involved alternative to War of the Ring and Age of Conan, as the game, once you've garnered a little experience, can play fairly quickly.
Later. (Insert second gay joke here).
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