HEL: The Last Saga Should You Back It?
“Survive, explore, fight, and solve the mysteries of a hostile island in this narrative 1–4 player Viking survival horror board game.”
by Mythic Games
My Pledge Level: Berserk Pledge (core box)
$2,215,842 raised 17,757 backers
1–4 players, 60–120 minutes, ages 18+
I’m here to help gamers better understand if HEL: TLS is or isn’t the right game for them. Let’s dive right in!
This is a cooperative fantasy campaign game with a new take on Viking lore and beliefs. It’s billed as a “highly narrative” game with large chunks of story to read depending on what the players accomplish and which paths they go down.
The players are “Clan members” following their king — who left a year prior following detailed dreams of an island paradise — hoping to find out what happened to the now missing colony. Characters must cooperate to survive enemies, starvation, the elements, and maybe something even darker.
The game mechanics focus on tactical combat, managing resources, and exploration of the unknown. The game promises replayability with its unique system for repeating failed missions (That’s all I know about the replayability!).
The narrative of HEL: TLS is discovered or triggered by a player’s decisions and actions. Like other narrative-based games, HEL: TLS has a branching story that won’t play out quite the same for everyone.
Play with unique clan members that have their own stories, strengths, and weaknesses (the character boards look incredible!)
Players will have the chance to play many of the characters that they encounter through the narrative during the campaign.
The adventure is scenario-based. The players will be tested in many different ways to advance to their ultimate goal. This isn’t only about combat with a Viking skin attached to it. This is a multifaceted game where players should prove themselves in different ways.
Whether conquering foreign soil, conducting search parties, or beating the living crap out of baddies, players WILL be tested. A “Predators & Prey” system incorporates a unique AI that reacts off of hidden threats that players can attempt to uncover with the help of their pet companions or through their own wit.
The Worship System drew me in to take a deeper look early on. The game gives players the opportunity to “beg your gods to help you”. This variable mechanic could add permanent modifiers to the campaign.
Ultimately, players must manage their resources carefully or risk mission failure and death! “Hunt for food. Collect that precious wood that will be a source of heat and an essential material for your constructions.”
The second half of the campaign takes place in darkness. The rules of the game take a turn (presumably — I’m not totally clear on this part but it sounds awesome).
That’s the gist of the lore and gameplay essentials. I’m backing HEL: TLS but sadly haven’t had a chance to see the game up close and personal yet.
What Do You Get?
The Kickstarter pledge campaign was pretty straightforward. The “Berserker Pledge” comes with a massive amount of content.
- Over 100 miniatures (and special boxes to keep them in)!
- 12 dice
- 16 hero boards
- a camp board
- a clan board
- 60 double-sized exploration tiles
- the Saga Book
- 572 cards(!)
- 20 wooden blocks
- a quicksave notepad system
- and a lot more.
Backers also receive all of the many stretch goals which were unlocked during the campaign. They were numerous and worthy. Check the Kickstarter page for images. Some of my personal favorites are the soundtrack, deluxified bags, and animal familiar miniatures.
If you are wondering if the narrative is really as deep as they promise, it is listed at 200 pages which I’m hoping gives us a deep and horrific narrative adventure!
The custom Viking dice are a nice touch. Multiple sizes and interesting symbols on the die faces. The 100X Hostile cards look well-designed and the art is truly creepy.
The Core Pledge is $129, but the HEL-In Pledge is $235 and adds a finely crafted “Viking Chess” game, a double-sided (recently enlarged!!) neoprene playmat, From HEL: the Making of (book), 12 specially-textured dice, and a faux-leather dice tray.
Many of these are available as a la carte add-ons as well.
Fulfillment Estimate: Late ‘22/Early ’23(?).
Late Pledge is currently Open.
Why might this be a game for you?
- You like deep, multi-session campaign games where the story and theme matter.
- You like dice and ability-determined combat.
- You like beautifully produced games with premium components.
- You are into Viking and/or horror+exploration games.
- You enjoy cooperative games.
- The game really speaks to you.
Why might this game not be for you?
- This game is expensive.
- You don’t have the time or the right playgroup/friends to get this to the table often enough.
- You prefer simple components to fancy.
- You don’t like non-deterministic and/or random mechanics.
- You don’t want to wait for fulfillment.
- The game doesn’t speak to you.
That’s HEL: TLS
Are You In? = )
the BoardGameNerd
