Game Overview

Game Name: Mechs vs. Minions
Publication Year: 2016
Designers: Cantrell, Ernst, Librande, Saraswat, and Tiras
Artists: Danny Beck and Tysen Henderson
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game (Cooperative)

A main element of gameplay that is often overlooked involves the rules. Every mission builds upon a simple set of rules, yet the focus is on streamlined turns.

This mission booklet had practically everything I needed! “Keep calm and push on” sounded like good advice. Ha!

Liquid Hot Magma

Uh-oh! Not only did the mechs have to go up against the usual rabble of minions, but something else posed a threat. Not the lava! That looked a little too hot to handle.

It wasn’t like there was a bomb that could explode with too much damage. Except there was. Of course, there was!

At first, I thought I had a decent strategy. Then the minions came way too close and caused way too much damage. The bomb couldn’t take it. Kaboom!

It was a rather lackluster effort, and relatively sad. Luckily, I had plenty of time left. Back to square one!

Managing Team Gears

Aside from the mission objective, a vital element is the management of team gears. With every 5 minion kills, the team gear advances. Quick minion destruction is needed!

Schematics are unlocked based on the team gears. I had new abilities trigger from team gears 2-8 this time.

The ultimate level of team gears wasn’t within my reach, so the mechs missed out on some of their best abilities. No matter! More importantly, the bomb took little damage.

There was one time when I thought I was in trouble… 2 damage flew in all at once. Watch it! 

Running Away

I had a chance to put together a plan for a few rounds before the lava started to flow. But that wasn’t a lot of time! Unfortunately, Ziggs didn’t pick up any movement.

The lava deals damage to mechs and, more alarmingly, the bomb. It was also quite rude… After it passed over a repair pad, its speed permanently increased. Just lovely!

At the same time, the minions had to be kept away from the ticking bomb. Corki basically attached it to himself.

Heimerdinger and Tristana ran the gauntlet of destroying anyone they could. Ziggs just… Burned? Sorry, Ziggs!

The Need for Speed

There was the option to either push or tow the bomb across all of the repair pads. Pushing is often easier since it requires less effort. But not for the bomb!

I had to make sure that it didn’t fly into minions, thereby damaging itself. So Corki took it upon himself to stop spinning in place and create a useful command line.

He had maximum speed surrounded by the ability to rotate to the left and right. Can you guess the result?

Corki towed the bomb 2-3 spaces per turn and could go in whatever direction he wanted. Nicely done, sir!

Session Overview

Play Number: 10 and 11
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game (Cooperative)
Play Details: Operation: Burning Vengeance (Mission 5)
Required Play Space: 52″ x 34″
Setup Time: 10 Minutes
Play Time: 30-120 Minutes per Play
Outcome: Loss and Win

Well done, Corki! He succeeded in towing the bomb to the final repair pad shortly before the lava was going to blow everyone up. The other mechs were rather useful, too… Aside from Ziggs, who basically lived in lava. Ha ha!

Affordability

Price & Value

8

Functionality

Challenges & Mechanics

10

Originality

Design & Theme

10

Quality

Components & Rules

10