I'm sure it's been covered elsewhere here, but there are only so many pages I'm going to click through on my slow computer.

I have and enjoy Runebound very much. The time length is a bit of a killer at times, but otherwise it's a very simple enjoyable adventure game.

I figure FFG wouldn't put out identical games, but how does it play differently from Runebound? Anyone out there a fan of both? Considering I only have so much money allocated to games nowadays I'd like to hear from the people who like it the most.

Thanks,

Sean

sepayne7l said:

Talisman should appeal to You if You like the theme and mechanics of Runebound. Runebound is a bit more modern system, the movement and battle systems are much better than Talismans. Especially movement in Talisman is very simple in comparison. This has the positive side of quite fast turns, ie low downtime. Major diffence in theme is the fact that in Talisman the players clearly fight against each other, as in Runebound all players are ultimitely fighting agains the Dragon lord (and beating each other all the same...).

What are the benefits of Talisman in my opinion ? The play session are more varied, because the characters are moch more varied, and the encounters coming from the adventure decks are hugely more diverse. Talisman is quite fast paced and really exciting game, when You start to be familiar with the game. My first impression of Talisman was that it was too simple and too random (too little strategy & skill), but now that we have played tons of games with it, I've come to appreciate it a lot. All the content in Talisman (the cards, board, figures etc) are of highest quality. We have Talisman, Runebound and several other huge and smaller games, but Talisman hits the board in about every third play session.

Talisman is very much recommandable to Runebound fans in my opinion, and Runebound to Talisman fans. They are different games, but in a same very-light strategy fantasy genre. I think it's also very easy to introduce new players to Talisman, as the rules aren't so complicated.

Full disclosure:

- I own Talisman and the Reaper expansion, and I have Runebound, with several small expansions and the large expansion Al Kalim.

- I originally purchased Runebound because Talisman was long removed from the market, and Runebound was the closest match.

- I like Runebound, but I prefer Talisman.

As I'm sure the OP is already aware, Runebound can be a bit turgid. A single player's turn can take as much as 10 minutes to complete and there is nothing for the rest of the table to do while the active player is doing his thing. Games of Runebound are known to take 5+ hours.

Talisman is much more fast-paced, and player interaction is high. You are expected to screw the other players over. It's an old-school boardgame though. You roll and move that many spaces, and then you do whatever the space requires you to do. This is a bit like Fireball Island or TSR's Dungeon, or even Life or Monopoly.

I find that Talisman is a more lively game, and it's much easier to convince non-gamers to play. The mechanics are much more in line with what non-gamers expect from a boardgame, and they can pick up on the rules much quicker. For instance, my wife thinks Runebound is brutally dull, but she loves Talisman.

Now, having played Runebound, I think you might find some elements of Talisman lacking. You'll probably find the board overly simplistic the first time you play Talisman, and you'll be disappointed by your lack of options. After a few games though, you'll start to develop an appreciation for the simplicity of design. Talisman is also a little bit more tongue-in-cheek than Runebound, which I personally find appealing. Talisman is the kind of game where a player can be dominating one turn and then get completely crushed the next turn by making one unfortunate roll.

Honestly, if you LOVE Runbound, then stick with Runebound because Talisman is likely to disappoint you. If you -like- Runebound but you want something more interactive and less crunchy, get Talisman.

If you do choose to get Talisman, I would highly recommend the Reaper expansion. It just feels like an essential component to me. It increases the number of monsters and obstacles which I feel were severely lacking in the base set.

If you stick with Runebound, pick up the Al Kalim expansion. Al Kalim has several new mechanics that really add to the game.

Well written Lars. All I can add is that Talisman has a more family friendy learning curve and game style (...er...may be Addams Family but I fit that mould). You can pul it out for some agressive grownup gaming or enjoy it as light fun when you are stuffed after your holiday feast.

I love both, but Talisman is tough to beat. Out if the three FF games I've owned, Talisman and Runebound are at the top. I sold Arkum Horror. Too rule heavy and not enough combat for me.

I wish the character cards in Runebound were a little bigger and the maps had more personality.