Firefly Adventures: Brigands and Browncoats Review

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I really like this complete mess of a game, but the process of learning it knocked a star off for me, and what few scenarios there are greatly vary in quality which isn’t helped by how wildly swingy the game can be. The core of the game is really fun though, I’ve always liked that time system in other games and it tells some fun stories. However, if I’m looking to spend some time in the Verse, I’m always going to reach for it’s big, by far superior older brother.

It definitely needs more scenarios. I like the game quite a bit, but at the same time, I haven't reached for it beyond my first several plays to review it myself.

I love the 3D buildings but they are a pain. I wouldn't want to get rid of them though and sacrifice the personality.

You mention five characters, which from the show are not included?

This sounds interesting to me, and I'm really not a fan of cooperative games. But the nature of Firefly's aiming-to-misbehave mechanic is that you press your luck and hope for the best. If that's the running gear on this game as well then having a cooperative nature won't be as much of an issue, because any joker that browbeats you into doing something rash will get appropriate negative feedback from the die rolls in short order. With a dose of luck after the decision cooperatives become much more interesting.

So this has no mechanical connection to the original game, right? They're not designed to coordinate or be incorporated into each other?

Sounds like Gale Force 9 needs to get half a dozen more scenarios out right quick. If they don't, it's an indication they've moved on.

Thanks for the review. Well done.

Point of order -- will all reviews on ThereWillBe.Games have just the one image in the upper right? This one sure could have used a couple of snapshots of the game set up on a table to aid in understanding of it.

S.

Oh, and I'll mention there are two expansions announced that bring the crew up to nine, but each has only two new scenarios to play out. That's a total of eight. Still not many.

The game is at its best when things are going wrong.

This sounds like a really fun little skirmish game

charlest wrote: It definitely needs more scenarios. I like the game quite a bit, but at the same time, I haven't reached for it beyond my first several plays to review it myself.

I love the 3D buildings but they are a pain. I wouldn't want to get rid of them though and sacrifice the personality.

Ahh, that's what I wanted to mention in my review and forgot. Blue Tack! I use this silly putty type stuff to hold the buildings in place. Stops the annoying sliding of buildings.

Josh Look wrote: I really like this complete mess of a game, but the process of learning it knocked a star off for me.

This is exactly why it needs a tutorial mission. I have literally been thinking about making one up. I have it all in my head, just need to put down on paper and draw up the maps. Can you imagine a tutorial "The Battle of Serenity Valley?" Hell, I got excited just TYPING that. With real in-game rewards that you carry over to your first game. *Eyes up his copy of Colt Express* For a second mission,I'm thinking "The Train Job." Thanks for the feedback Josh!

Sagrilarus wrote: You mention five characters, which from the show are not included?

Mal, Zoe, Wash, Jayne and Kaylee. The mentioned expansions will add a pack for Simon and River and a second pack for Book and Inara.

Sagrilarus wrote: So this has no mechanical connection to the original game, right? They're not designed to coordinate or be incorporated into each other?

Not really. It comes with promo cards that go into the original game. I've heard talk of people wanting to use it as an away mission simulator for the first game but I honestly can't see that happening based on Table Space and Time concerns.

Sagrilarus wrote: Point of order -- will all reviews on ThereWillBe.Games have just the one image in the upper right? This one sure could have used a couple of snapshots of the game set up on a table to aid in understanding of it.

S.

I usually take some pics of my game when it is set up. I know there has been talk of using them on Instagram. I'm not sure if they will be added to reviews but I'm sure it will be considered.

The game has potential I love the building and some of the Gaming concepts but I totally fucked up the rules the first play because the rules were so screwy. I haven’t been able to stomach playing it again.