Unlike your typicalboard game, legacy board games actually change as you play them – we’re talking adding stickers, ripping up cards, and unlocking secret stuff. It all kicks off with each new game session, creating a personalized adventure for you and your buddies. It’s safe to say these games are changing the rules of the game – literally!
Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
Epidemiology: Extreme Edition
The game throws two to four players into a global health crisis, needing them to battle four nasty diseases. But here’s where things get fascinating: Pandemic Legacy evolves over a campaign of 12 to 24 play sessions, each one representing a month in a year-long story.
The ever-changing format leads to every gaming group getting their own unique experience. What you do in one game carries over to the next, so your characters level up, your goals shift, and the world map keeps changing. The story adapts to how well (or not) you’re doing, so no two groups will have the same pandemic story to tell.
What makes this game so special is how it blends tough strategy choices with a real sense of investment in the story. Every decision feels like it matters, both for your current game and for the future. It’s like being in charge of your own blockbuster movie about saving the world! Plus, each session usually wraps up in about an hour, perfect for regular game nights without eating up your whole day.
Gloomhaven
Cardboard City, Endless Adventures
Picture this: you and up to three buddies are mercenaries in a gritty fantasy world, diving into dungeons, bashing monsters, and living out your own epic saga. But forget about dusty old RPG rulebooks or finicky dice - Gloomhaven’s got its own tricks.
For starters, this game is massive. We’re talking 95 scenarios massive. And get this - the whole thing evolves as you play. You’ll be slapping stickers on the board, opening mysterious envelopes, and watching the world change based on your choices. It’s like a board game that remembers what you did last time!
Each turn, you’ll have to pick two cards, mix and match the top and bottom halves to pull off some seriously cool moves. About the characters, there are 17 different classes to play with, each one feeling totally unique. Fair warning: this isn’t a game you’ll wrap up in an evening. Gloomhaven is a commitment, but it’s also the perfect blend of tactical combat and rich storytelling, promising a perfect gameplay experience.
Risk Legacy
World Domination 101
This groundbreaking title introduces the concept of permanent, game-altering changes that occur as players progress through a 15-game campaign. Players choose factions with distinct abilities, customizing them by applying stickers to faction cards.
The most exciting aspect of this game is how it rewards both victory and defeat. Winners get to sign the board and make significant changes that benefit them in future games, creating a sense of legacy that resonates throughout the campaign. However, even losers get minor opportunities to alter the game, ensuring everyone feels invested in the evolving narrative.
The legacy concept extends to the game’s components as well. Some cards may be permanently removed from the game - even torn up - based on in-game events or player choices. This twist may be considered almost sacrilege by hardcore board game traditionalists, but it adds genuine weight and consequence for every decision.
The King’s Dilemma
Royal Rulings, Consequences Included
This game will have you feeling like you’re starring in your own medieval political drama. Your decisions don’t just affect the next game; they shape the entire storyline, leading to different endings. It’s like being in charge of your own “Game of Thrones” season - minus the dragons, of course.
Let’s talk about consequences. The King’s Dilemma isn’t playing around when it comes to permanent changes. Players slap stickers on the board and cards, physically altering the game state. It may seem a bit harsh at first, but it really rubs the consequences of your choices right in your face. Speaking of choices, players take on the roles of different noble houses, each with their own secret agendas.
These hidden objectives persist throughout the campaign, adding layers of intrigue and potential backstabbing. It’s not just about what’s good for the kingdom - it’s about what’s good for your house. And boy, does this game love to present moral dilemmas. Players often find themselves caught between doing what’s right for the realm and pursuing their own interests.
Zombie Kidz Evolution
Playground of the Living Dead
Picture this: a bunch of kids defending their school from a zombie invasion. Sounds intense, right? But don’t worry! The game’s art style is colorful, friendly, and decidedly non-violent. These zombies are more goofy than gruesome, making it a hit with kids without giving anyone nightmares.
Zombie Kidz Evolution introduces the legacy format to the kiddie crowd, and it does it with style. As players progress, they get to crack open 13 sealed envelopes, each one adding new rules, challenges, and gameplay elements. It’s like unwrapping presents throughout the game! New player powers, super zombies, player clones, and secret missions keep things fresh and exciting.
The basic gameplay is a breeze to pick up. Players scoot around the school board, boppingzombies, and trying to lock four entryways before the undead overrun the place. The game uses a sticker system to track progress and achievements, which is pure genius. Kids love collecting stickers, and here they get to plaster them all over the game as a record of their zombie-fighting prowess. It’s a great way to build a sense of accomplishment and keep them coming back for more.
Charterstone
Permanent Markers, Temporary Alliances
Charterstone is the board game that’ll have you and your friends building a village from the ground up - and competing every step of the way! This legacy game takes the village-building concept and cranks it up to eleven with a 12-game campaign that’ll keep you coming back for more.
One of the coolest things about Charterstone is how you literally build the game as you play. Slapping building stickers onto the board isn’t just fun - it’s creating new action spaces that anyone can use. Your choices matter. Decisions you make can affect future games, creating a unique story for your group. Watch as your simple starting village transforms into a complex, thriving community.
Charterstone is flexible too, accommodating anywhere from 1 to 6 players. Worried about replayability? Don’t be! Once you’ve wrapped up the 12-game campaign, you’re left with a totally unique worker-placement game that you can keep playing indefinitely. It’s like getting two games in one!
FAQ
What is a legacy board game?
Legacy games are like the chameleons of the board game world - they actually change as you play them! Imagine a game that remembers what you did last time and carries those consequences forward. That’s the core idea behind legacy games.
What do people do with completed legacy games?
Well, that depends. Some people like to display their finished game boards, while others like to frame parts. Some legacy games like Charterstone, or Pandemic Legacy are designed to be playable as a regular board game after the campaign ends.
