It’s time to once again explore the world of Bore and the location of the Skulk Hollow. Smallfolk are on the watch, looking for any threats and guarding the city gates but high in the mountains stands Maul Peak where the Grizzar have settled. Let’s jump in and see what types of threats could be present in these mountains!
Maul Peak is a new game from Pencil First Games coming to Kickstarter in 2022. It is designed by Keith Matejka with production/development by Eduardo Baraf. It is illustrated by Dustin Foust. Original idea and inspiration from Ethan Baraf. It plays 2 players only, in approximately 30-45 mins of play time.
Overview
In Maul Peak two players square off against each other as one represents the guardian trying to eliminate the invaders and the other represents the smallfolk Grizzars who are protecting their home. The guardians player wins when it eliminates all Grizzar heroes or fills their unique win condition. The hero player wins with they eliminate the guardian.
Gameplay
There is one hero set, the Grizzar and four different guardians that players can choose from. Each player chooses one or the either and gathers up the components for that character. The Maul Peak map is placed between the players and the individual players decks are shuffled and prepared by drawing up to their hand size.
Players will alternate turns until someone reaches their win condition and instantly wins the game. Structure for either player is the same: Main Phase -> Cleanup Phase.
In Main Phase, players will take an action on their player mat. This includes playing a card or prepare/intensify (based on which player it is). The number of actions is up to the limit shown on the player’s individual mat. Players may also spend their cubes which are power/rage (depending on the character) to take extra actions available to them.
Heroes will be able to summon other heroes onto the board and move them around depending on the action chosen. Heroes may also leap onto the guardian and from there they are able to use melee to inflict damage to the guardian. Doing so will limit the cards and actions that the guardian can use. Damaging all of the spots will defeat the guardian and give the heroes the win.
The guardian is able to move and deal damage according to its individual powers. Each guardian has a different set of powers and abilities that are unique to that guardian and gives them some great choices to use.
In Cleanup Phase players will resolve power/rage they gained by allocating to their player slots to be used on future turns. This is also where players refill their hand. Then play is passed on to the next player to begin their phases. The game immediately ends when either the hero player eliminates the guardian or the guardian eliminates all hero units currently in play or hits their win condition.
Impressions:
Skulk Hollow was one of my son and I’s favorite two-player games when we first explored it. The asymmetrical player powers really set the game apart from other two-player games in that it felt like a battle of two different powers battling for the victory. I enjoy a push/pull two-player game where there are similar powers in games like Chess, Onitama or Patchwork but Skulk made it a more unique expereince. Maul Peak takes the next step forward in an already enjoyable game franchise and adds some fun things.
Maul Peak gives us the same experience as Skulk Hollow in the back and forth asymmetrical game with some new additions. I enjoyed the power cube aspect for the heroes and using that to summon some fun characters to aid you was a great change to the original. The quick recovery is good however it is tough that they do not come back at all later in the game. I also enjoyed the addition of the magic effects that really hot the guardians hard.
On the side of the guardian characters there are familiar aspects from the Skulk Hollow but also some all-new combos that can really hit the heroes hard. My son loves the guardian character and being able to come in swinging against all of my little heroes. I often felt like the guardian was the godzilla character, coming is hard and aggressive to take big swings at the hero characters.
The art on this one is absolutely amazing as well. It is colorful and really pops off the boards and cards giving you a deep experience in this world. I love the push and pull of the characters each trying to defend their areas and fend off the enemy on the other side of the board. The game is going to be appealing on design and looks alone for players that are not as into combat games and is one that all ages should enjoy.
If you enjoyed Skulk Hollow then Maul Peak is an insta-back. This game is just as beautiful and fun as the original but leveled up with familiar aspects and all-new goodness that really makes this an amazing sequel. Maul Peak is the next big hit from Pencil First Games and I think this is one you will enjoy getting to the table the next time you and your favorite opponent are looking to square off. Make sure to check it out on Kickstarter today!
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