This is a Kickstarter preview of Clash of Galliformes, which launches on Kickstarter June 15, 2022. I was not sent a copy of the game to review, but I was able to peruse the Kickstarter page, dive into the rules, and check it out on Tabletop Simulator to see how it all plays out. The first section of this preview is just that: a preview. It states what the game is, what it’s about, and provides facts. Below that is where my own personal thoughts come into play, which section is specifically labeled as such.
Clash of Galliformes: Kickstarter Preview
They may not be chocobos, but these massive birds are built for two things: riding and war. In Clash of Galliformes, players explore, build, and battle in a harsh environment where only the strong survive. Based on real-time strategy games, Clash of Galliformes offers a number of unique and interesting aspects of gameplay.
Setup
From the very beginning, players are able to showcase their strategy by the way the board is laid out. Each player places two pieces of the board—sides aligned—in turn, one after the other, and then repeating the process a second time. By allowing players to decide how they want their world to look, they are also able to set themselves up for success.
Gameplay
As players take their turns, they move their birds, collect puzzle and tech tokens, build outposts, and claim resources. As the game progresses and land becomes scarce, players are able to battle each other to expand their territory. While it is possible for a player’s faction to be defeated, player elimination is mitigated by having the defeated player come back as another faction. This keeps the game progressing and all players are engaged throughout.
Using resources, players can expand their army of gamefowl and build outposts to help protect their territory. Each faction of birds has a unique ability, so players can lean into those skills to gain an edge. Likewise, completing puzzles grants players with special abilities as well, and each unique puzzle is a different one. When it comes to combat, players are able to play bonus cards alongside their dice rolls, providing them with a hidden advantage (or bluff!) during the battle. Bonus cards can only be used once, though, so use them wisely!
The game may end if a player has collected a complete set of puzzle tokens (i.e. cave paintings) and has two technologies placed on their player board. At this time, the player may call the game, at which point score is tallied and a winner declared. Points come from completed puzzles, birds and outposts in play (i.e. on the map), completed technologies, a surplus of resources, and the golden egg. If there is a tie for most points, the player who completed the puzzle wins the draw.
Thoughts on Clash of Galliformes
When I first learned about Clash of Galliformes, the idea of characters riding massive, ground-feeding birds was all the temptation I needed. Of course, I didn’t know much about it, but I was happy to explore. As a rule book editor, I love to look at new rule books and learn about games directly from the source. From what I read, it certainly sounded interesting, and I was happy to learn that these big birds would be able to fight each other. The mechanisms seemed sound and, overall, I thought there was good potential.
I was also privy to the Tabletop Simulator mod, which I subscribed to and took for a tour. I like how the rules are simple, yet the gameplay offers fun and interesting choices. The board setup at the beginning of the game is a great way to start playing, as it gives everyone at the table a say as to how their world will be laid out. This is important, because it’s always the worst to be randomly placed in the “worst” spot on the board. Here, however, the players are creating the lay of the land to best suit their needs and give them an edge in the beginning. It’s a simple, yet elegant, way of bringing strategic decisions to the forefront of the game right out of the gate.
With armies growing and shrinking and the ebb and flow of battle in constant flux, there are good, strategic choices to be made and considered. Games shouldn’t take too long, either, which feels about right for this game. I’m also a fan of the way the designer mitigated player elimination—that is, when a player’s birds are all destroyed, they aren’t out of the game forever; instead, they grab a new faction, place a nest and a bird on an open space, and jump back into the fray. I’m not a fan of player elimination simply for the fact that those who get out early are now bored and start resenting the game. But, in Clash of Galliformes, having players rise from the ashes to start anew is a fresh idea that not only intrigues me, but gives me hope for the future.
There is a lot to look forward to in Clash of Galliformes, and if any part of it sounds interesting to you, I encourage you to check out their Kickstarter (launching June 15, 2022). During the first 48 hours of the campaign, the publisher will plant a tree for each backer. How cool is that? I always like these types of rewards that don’t necessarily offer a collector piece, but goes on to do some good in the world.
So what say you? Will you be backing Clash of Galliformes? What interests you about the game? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Click here to visit the Clash of Galliformes Kickstarter page!
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