middara board game review

2 min read 29-12-2024

Middara: Unintentional Dungeon Crawl is a unique and ambitious board game that blends the excitement of a dungeon crawler with the narrative richness of a role-playing game. This review dives deep into its strengths and weaknesses, helping you decide if this sprawling campaign is right for your table.

What is Middara?

Middara isn't your typical board game. It's a sprawling campaign, delivered in multiple expansions, that presents a constantly evolving adventure. Players create custom characters, exploring a dynamic world filled with challenges, choices, and consequences. The core gameplay loop revolves around tactical combat, exploration, and solving puzzles. The "unintentional" part refers to the game's reliance on modular components and randomly drawn events that lead to unpredictable scenarios.

The Good: Immersive World and Engaging Story

Narrative Depth: Middara excels in creating a gripping story. The campaign unfolds organically, shaped by player choices and the random elements introduced through the cards. This creates a truly unique experience each playthrough.
Customizable Characters: Character creation is robust. You select a class, build your stats, and customize your equipment, making each character feel personal.
Engaging Combat System: The combat is tactical and challenging. You'll need to think strategically to overcome the various enemies you encounter. The dynamic placement of tiles adds a layer of unpredictability to each fight.
Beautiful Components: The components are high-quality and well-designed. The miniatures are beautifully sculpted, and the artwork is stunning throughout the game.
Replayability: The campaign's modularity and randomized events mean that no two playthroughs will be the same.

The Challenges: Length, Complexity, and Cost

Significant Time Commitment: Middara is a marathon, not a sprint. Completing the entire campaign requires a considerable time investment, suitable only for players with dedication and available game time.
Steep Learning Curve: The rules can be complex at first. Understanding all the nuances of the game system takes time and effort. Expect a few initial games dedicated purely to learning the rules.
High Cost of Entry: The initial investment for Middara is high. While individual expansions can be bought separately, fully experiencing the game often requires purchasing many of them.
Ongoing Expansions: The nature of the game requires continually buying new expansions. While this provides continuous content, it’s a commitment that not all players will appreciate.

Who Should Play Middara?

Middara shines for players who enjoy:

Long-term campaigns: If you're looking for a single, short game, this is not it. This is a commitment for dozens of gaming sessions.
Narrative-driven games: Players seeking a strong, evolving story will love Middara's focus on storytelling.
Tactical combat: The combat system rewards strategy and thoughtful planning.
Customizable characters: Those who enjoy building unique characters will appreciate the extensive customization options.

Who Should Avoid Middara?

Middara might not be for players who prefer:

Quick, casual games: This game demands considerable time and patience.
Simple rulesets: The complexity of the rules might be daunting for casual gamers.
Budget-conscious gaming: The upfront and ongoing costs can be substantial.

Conclusion: A Rewarding but Demanding Experience

Middara: Unintentional Dungeon Crawl is an exceptional dungeon crawler that offers an unforgettable gaming experience. However, its commitment in terms of time, complexity, and cost isn't for everyone. If you're prepared to invest the time and resources, you'll be rewarded with a richly rewarding and uniquely customizable journey through a beautifully crafted world. Consider carefully if Middara's demanding nature aligns with your gaming preferences before taking the plunge.