Sentinels of the Multiverse Comic Relief: a Review by Jennifer Weigel
If you want to expand upon some of the fun of Pocket Paragons and get your comic book hero on, then you should join the Sentinels of the Multiverse. It’s up to you and your friends to protect the world from certain doom in this cooperative card game. Some scenarios are all glory and gusto, but others are a bit more horrifying because some of those comics and comic book characters are outright dark. So I thought I’d review this game here on Haunted MTL for November.
Sentinels of the Multiverse hails from Greater Than Games and brings all of the comic book action right to your game table. Sure, this means that you could have the goody-goods battling the baddies old school superpower versus superpower to the end. But it wouldn’t be a good story series if there weren’t some twists and turns while flying by the seat of your pants. As any good comic book hero will tell you after all, you’ve got to keep your avid readers and fans awaiting the next issue with bated breath…
Essentially you and your friends are teamed up as superheroes trying to save the world from one of the many villains in one of the crazy environments. Ever since we started playing this game, I’ve pretty much always been Fanatic, the angel, but there are a lot of characters to choose from with a lot of superpowers. Different heroes balance one another in different ways, some providing more mystical support, others tanking it up, and others being more quick on the draw of the cards or battle-focused. Every one of them is unique with different strengths and weaknesses.
As you duke it out with the villain and their minions, relics and following, you also have to deal with environmental hazards, ongoing effects and your team’s decisions. Everything is card-based with hero and villain characters and environments each having their own deck. Different cards grant different powers bringing both benefits and drawbacks. Card-based actions dish out the damage and whittle away at the baddies. Turn order remains consistent with the villain(s) going first, then the heroes in whatever order they choose, and finally the environment.
The game play really does mimic the comic book feel of battle well. You are literally fighting to the finish, with cards. The villains each pose different and interesting challenges and can totally own your ass if you are ill-prepared, or are part of the wrong team for that particular battle, or if the environment screws you over; you know, just because it can. And even when you defeat the baddies, you may not actually meet win criteria which just leaves the question open of what really happened to them and will they come back, as so many arch-nemeses do. It becomes a story for another time, continuing the saga…
I’m giving Sentinels of the Multiverse 4.0 Cthulus. It’s a fun game, the art is superb, and it is very well designed, even down to how it fits in the box. You really do feel like you are a superhero from a long-standing series of comic books, and this is further enhanced by the flavor text on the cards themselves.
(4 / 5)
But no matter how much my friends and I try to keep from overthinking it or getting caught up in planning, the game runs long. Sometimes the win conditions are very specific and are buried at the bottom of the villain deck so it can be a bit of a slogfest to get there. Sometimes different card combinations render a lot of actions ineffective in one or more directions simultaneously, so that you feel like you’re just slapping your kid brother back and forth in the rear seat of your parent’s ride without actually doing much of anything to one another. And sometimes the game will kick your ass in slow motion, nickeling-and-diming you to death over hours of playtime. But nonetheless, it’s still fun.
There are a lot of versions of this game and a lot of expansions. The version we own combined some of these variations together as part of a Kickstarter awhile back, but the newer versions have much the same flavor from what I can tell.
Gaming
Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.
You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.
There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.
What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR
Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.
Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.
The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.
The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.
While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.
Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.
Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.
What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR
Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.
This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.
Final Thoughts
WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully.
(4.5 / 5)
Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!
Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:
• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements
• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.
Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev
Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!
In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.
These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!
But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!
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