Campaign Games

I first started playing campaign games a year or so before the pandemic. We had a group of four for Silver Tower, but soon lost our fourth player. Then we moved on to Blackstone Fortress and only got partway through it when lockdown happened. I had my own copy and played the entire Blackstone campaign solitaire during lockdown. I think these games are all perfectly playable solitaire, but more enjoyable with at least one other player because then you can have engaging conversations about game tactics and strategy as you play. Four players is harder, because it seems to get exponentially harder to coordinate the scheduling of four adults, especially as they get older and take on more responsibilities and commitments.

Been meaning to post here and have just not yet.

I love campaign games. Three of my top games played over the last few years are of that variety.

First up would be Arkham Horror the Card Game. I picked it back up during COVID. Playing it solo it got me through self isolation. I was playing two or three handed. I then got my buddy who lives across the country into it and we started playing it over video chat. At this point we have two campaigns we have not played and will be starting one of those within a month or so. I love this game. The campaign aspect of it sells me on it over Marvel Champions which I also really like but don’t have the same drive to play.


My next game is Primal the Awakening. Which is a nice lead in from Marvel Champions as it has a lot of similarity’s. Once again though, I feel more driven ti play this as the exciting part is progressing your character. The story in this game is fine. But below many other such games. But the game play is magnificent. Like Arkham it has a manageable scope. I think a campaign is 11 battles. Choices mater as they unlock both quest lines and gear you can forge. The only downside of the game is that it’s expensive. It is super pretty though. It’s a better monster hunter than monster hunter world.

Last up is Aeon Trespass Odyssey. This is a true monster. The same friend I play Arkham with has been playing this with me. We just finished the second cycle of five. We are at around two hundred or so hours played I think. It is a commitment above and beyond most things. I however have found it to be extremely rewarding. I can’t say enough good things about this game. It is however not for the feint of heart. The game has printed novel quality writing. An option for narration which is fantastically well done. It is also complicated and slightly confusing at times. I don’t really care about that though. It’s not really like anything else in scope.


I have also been playing Mythwind. This is a bit of an odd bird. It’s a campaign game. It has an emerging story. It just does not really have an end. You just set it up. Play a season and stop. It’s billed as a cozy game. It feels like it. You strive to play better and master you character. But you can’t die or really fail. You just don’t do things as well as you might. It’s a nice change of pace.

I have a few more that I need to play solo. And just have not had the time. I’ll comment more as I rip through some of them. I am a self admitted campaign game junkie.