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Joe Baptist
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Innsmouth Escape » Forums » Reviews
Innsmouth Escape after one play
This is a quick review after only one playing. I am posting it because there is so little information up about this game.

A newly released Lovecraftian game? Since it's brand new and doesn't even have 30 ratings yet, I felt I had to "take one for the team" and buy this one blind. The local "team" thanked me, but aren't breaking down doors to buy their own copies.

The game:
The human player attempts to rescue their friends and escape from Innsmouth. The other players try to stop the human player.

The human player uses a combination of three cards from their hand to plot out a hidden move, the deep ones try to stop the human from gaining weapons, releasing captives, or gaining experience that might help him.
The human takes damage from the deep ones, but struggles on in his quest to escape Innsmouth.

All told, it seemed like a low rent version of Fury of Dracula - a lot quicker (mercifully), but not nearly as fun.

Card draw plays a tremendous role in the game. And the most challenging part was keeping track of the grid movement without the deep one players noticing my counting of squares.

The game comes with several small card sets for the human, a deck of cards for the deep ones, a human figure, a ton of deep ones in four colors, a mounted board with a grid city, tokens, and dice.

Components:
The board is sturdy.
The miniatures are okay - nothing to write home about, and certainly one reason that this game costs as much as it does ($40us).
As with many games, the instructions are not entirely clear at first, but became clearer as we played through the first turn.
The cards are thin and seem flimsy. They also have a strong odor.
The counters are counters, and the dice are basic dice.
There is no box insert, and the bags for the components are not resealable. This means everything is now just bouncing around loose in the box - cards, dice, deep ones, and everything else.

I do not feel that this game is a great value. It is an okay game, but nothing great. A bit too fiddly for a "no-brainer" filler, and not deep enough for a main attraction. There are several little things to keep track of, but the game itself does not have the tension needed to make it work.

I have not played the Zombies games, but one of those watching us play Innsmouth Escape told me it was similar in many ways - except that Zombies is more of a budget priced game.

I will probably pull it out on occasion - after all, I need to get my money's worth out of it - but not often.

If you like the theme, and are looking for a quicker game than Arkham Horror or Fury of Dracula, you might want to try it.



John H
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070809
You know, I'll take a "quickie" review like this 9 times out of 10 ... This review tells me everything I want to know about the game in a quick, clear, concise manner, and, frankly, it has more actual analysis and critique than the longer reviews I've read that are 99% re-typed rules and 1% actual review.

Nice work, Joe! I was indeed on the fence about this game, and this review really helps me out. Thanks!
Darrell O
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070809
I agree with John. Great Job. I was going to add this one to my preorder today.

Thanks for saving me the money,
Darrell
Joe Baptist
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It may improve with repeated play, and a better card draw (the deep ones didn't get many interesting cards), but nobody from our first play really wanted to run it again.

If it didn't have as many fiddly things, it could be elegant and simple, and a nice light filler.

It's not a terrible game, but there are other games I'd rather play for the same price (or less).

If they had cut corners on some components (a card board and possibly even counters instead of miniatures), and released this for $15-$20, it would be easy to recommend it as a budget filler game.
Last edited on 2008-03-19 10:17:29 CST (Total Number of Edits: 1)
Adam Di Gleria
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05070809
Nice concise review, and fills the niche you set out to.

Speaking of "strong odor" what is up with that? Games didn't used to smell bad when you opened them (I'm looking at you Duel in the Dark and over at you Last Night on Earth). One wonders when our first "Chinese manufacturing chemicals kills gamers" news story will occur. :yuk:
Joe Baptist
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Is it the ink, the material, or the finish?

Maybe the manufacturers just need to air out the components for a while before packaging them.
Rich P
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070809
joedogboy wrote:
The cards are thin and seem flimsy. They also have a strong odor.


Fish, by any chance? ;)
Mike Jones
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06070809
TheCollector wrote:
Nice concise review, and fills the niche you set out to.

Speaking of "strong odor" what is up with that? Games didn't used to smell bad when you opened them (I'm looking at you Duel in the Dark and over at you Last Night on Earth). One wonders when our first "Chinese manufacturing chemicals kills gamers" news story will occur. :yuk:


Yeah, there have been quite a few really and somewhat bad ones lately. (I actually started to rate the smell).

DitD tops them. Even after repeated airs there is still a problem. The mold isn't to bad in mine though.
Mike Jones
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What is it with Twilight Creations? I want to like there games, but for the most part they leave you unfulfilled and in many cases wishing to put a gun to your head to bring the game to a close. Don't get me wrong, they are mostly fun for the first 30 minutes, but then they all seem to die.

All Wound Up at least has a 'cute' mechanic to lift it above the rest.

Even with the subpar review, I went to tag it or add it to my wishlist. But, then saw Twilight Creations and that added a whole new level to the review. IS it really only a 30 minute game?
Last edited on 2008-03-19 11:55:03 CST (Total Number of Edits: 1)
Richard Scarry
Guantanamo wrote:
Even with the subpar review, I went to tag it or add it to my wishlist. But, then saw Twilight Creations and that added a whole new level to the review. IS it really only a 30 minute game?
I happen to like Zombietown, but you do realize that Kerry doesn't design all the games they publish, right?
Mike Jones
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caffeinehead wrote:
Guantanamo wrote:
Even with the subpar review, I went to tag it or add it to my wishlist. But, then saw Twilight Creations and that added a whole new level to the review. IS it really only a 30 minute game?
I happen to like Zombietown, but you do realize that Kerry doesn't design all the games they publish, right?


Zombietown was one of those that would not end, in my experience.

And yes, he doesn't design them all, but he does choose what he publishes and that's what I'm talking about. Twilight Creations conjures up a specific feeling no matter who the designer is. Heck, even as a 'fan' of Knizia, I had to double think Gravediggers. Which was good, cause it's got some interesting bidding in it.



Richard Scarry
Guantanamo wrote:
caffeinehead wrote:
Guantanamo wrote:
Even with the subpar review, I went to tag it or add it to my wishlist. But, then saw Twilight Creations and that added a whole new level to the review. IS it really only a 30 minute game?
I happen to like Zombietown, but you do realize that Kerry doesn't design all the games they publish, right?
Zombietown was one of those that would not end, in my experience.
(grin) I know; that's why i made sure to write that not everyone feels similarly. (shrug) I just feel differently. Especially when they also publish games like Easter Island. (BTW, Todd is the "he".)
Last edited on 2008-03-19 12:37:42 CST (Total Number of Edits: 1)
Joe Baptist
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Guantanamo wrote:
What is it with Twilight Creations? I want to like there games, but for the most part they leave you unfulfilled and in many cases wishing to put a gun to your head to bring the game to a close. Don't get me wrong, they are mostly fun for the first 30 minutes, but then they all seem to die.

All Wound Up at least has a 'cute' mechanic to lift it above the rest.

Even with the subpar review, I went to tag it or add it to my wishlist. But, then saw Twilight Creations and that added a whole new level to the review. IS it really only a 30 minute game?


It took us about 30-40 minutes, including looking up the rules as we went.

Our opinion was that with a good command of the rules, it should be more of a 10-30 minute game - again depending on card draws.
Jeff Khoury
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TheCollector wrote:
Nice concise review, and fills the niche you set out to.

Speaking of "strong odor" what is up with that? Games didn't used to smell bad when you opened them (I'm looking at you Duel in the Dark and over at you Last Night on Earth). One wonders when our first "Chinese manufacturing chemicals kills gamers" news story will occur. :yuk:


Well, for this game, it's either death, or the "Innsmouth Look"--take your pick.
Craig Rose
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I was one of the players in Joe's game and agree with his assessment. Once again, thanks for running it. I'm not ready to run out and add this one to my collection, but definitely one I would like to try again.

After finishing the game and taking a second look at the cards, I saw some gameplay possibilities that didn't turn up during our session.

I too agree that tokens, rather than plastic figures, would have been better to keep the price of the game down. During our game I think the most deep one figures on the board at any given time was around 20 out of a possible 75.
Robert Stetler
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0809
Tsugo wrote:
I too agree that tokens, rather than plastic figures, would have been better to keep the price of the game down. During our game I think the most deep one figures on the board at any given time was around 20 out of a possible 75.


Zombies retails for $12 less, and has roughly the same number of plastic figures. I think the price difference is mostly the mounted board, with maybe an additional nudge from 4 colors worth of plastic figures (instead of 1) and various inflation pressures.

Pity all you get is a shoggoth token instead of an actual figure. Even more of a pity that the token looks like a giant deep one (didn't someone on the art staff know what a shoggoth was, or bother to look it up?). Not that an ancient deep one doesn't make sense, but if they went that route they shouldn't have called it a shoggoth. Good news is if you want a shoggoth figure (granted, it takes up most of a square on the board), they can be had real cheap on eBay. Just look up "large chaos beast".
David Schneider
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Thanks for the review. I was really hoping for something like Arkham Horror "lite", but it sounds more like "super lite".

I saw the game last night at my local game store and was a little disappointed with the size of the game in relation to the cost.

I've got to agree that it would have been better to have colored card chits instead of the miniatures. I wish some of the companies would realize you don't need those little plastic minis for every game!

Anyway, I think I'll wait on this one til I find it on sale somewhere.

Bummer!!! :cry:
Rich Moore
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I have to say I didn't learn much from this review that I couldn't have learned from the description on BGG...except that it's a bit pricey for what you get and the the reviewer wasn't too impressed after playing it once. I'm hoping we do get a more detailed review from someone who's played it a few more times.
Joe Baptist
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I posted a review after only one game because I felt that even a cursory review was better for potential purchasers than no review at all. I will probably get the chance to play again in the next couple of weeks, and will post any updates to my experience at that time.

My rating of 5.5 puts it above average, and I think that I described it as a playable game - but not as much fun as I was hoping for.
Last edited on 2008-03-20 00:27:31 CST (Total Number of Edits: 2)
Philip Reed
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070809
joedogboy wrote:
If you like the theme, and are looking for a quicker game than Arkham Horror or Fury of Dracula, you might want to try it.


Thanks. I _have_ been looking for a game quicker than Arkham Horror or Fury of Dracula. :)
Dan Conley
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06070809
Thanks for a great review, Joe! Lots of us out here appreciate your "taking one for the team" on this one!!! ;)

I really appreciate the info. you provided. I'm normally all about picking up Lovecraft-related stuff, especially games. For some reason, I was underwhelmed by this one from the time I saw the listing for it in Game Trade. Thanks for confirming that feeling!!! I had planned to pass on it anyway, but it's good to know my instincts were correct! :D I'll stick with Arkham Horror...
Dany Simard
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070809
Thanks Joe for the review, short and precise! I look for this game juste because I'm a lovecraft's fan, but I'll wait untill I was able to have it for cheaper.

Landon B
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Thanks for the review. Still i think I will get this one, since I enjoy the them and mechanics, and need a shorter version. Fury of Dracula usually wears out my group.
Kerry Breitenstein
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I generally encourage people to play games more than once before reviewing them, but honestly his review was a good review as it gives the basic idea behind the game, not the complete feel of the game but the idea. I personally find it hard to form an opinion after one play of a game but I certainly respect others that do. I've gotten dozens of emails stating they love the game. So, really what you should get out of a review is the info on the game and less of the opinion. If it sounds like a game you'd like to play, then play it. If it doesn't, then don't.

But to clarify some things that are incorrect with statements here: It plays absolutely nothing like Zombies!!! But it will appeal to more of our fan base. Our fans have a tendency to enjoy the lighter fun games than something real indepth and rules intensive.

Our fans generally prefer the plastic miniatures over the cardboard chits. We do as well. That's why we go with the plastics.

As far as the odor, that's the first I've seen and I agree. They are stinky. It goes away quickly though. I'm guessing they weren't aired out as long as usual.

It is a pricier game than some of our earlier ones, but new games now are going to cost more for the following reasons: Increased shipping costs due to increased gas costs, our manufacturing costs have gone up due to increased cost of the raw materials as well as plastic restrictions that are slowly but surely sweeping the countries, etc. Mounted boards cost so much more than the tiles. Box size also is a huge factor. Oh, and games that are designed outside the company will cost more as we pay royalties. These are the cases for all companies. The bigger companies can bear the increased costs but the littler ones can't.

I wish we could have kept the price of this game down a bit. You should have seen the original quote. Yeesh!!! But I think this is a great game that warrants the price especially considering the price of some of the other games out there with just as much stuff.

I do hope that this game gets the respect that it deserves. Everyone we played with loves it.

Mrs. Kerry Breitenstein
Joe Baptist
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I would like to see a review from one of the people who rated it an 8, but would really like to see a review from the person who rated it a 9. They obviously found something in the game that we missed, to take it form being an 'okay game played when in the right mood' to being an 'excellent game that they always want to play'.

And yes, I am still working on getting in a couple more games to see if that changes the experience.
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