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)

The bulk of a solo board game includes its mechanics and core elements. What it looks like isn’t as important… Yet it’s hard to ignore the high-quality components here!

Aside from looking nice, important information is easy to see at a glance. Limited complexity is often excellent.

Busy Command Lines

Building up each mech’s command line is a tricky endeavor, but well worth the effort! I always play with all 4 mechs, yet the game works with 2-3 mechs, too.

It was impossible to steer clear of damage because I had to protect the central region. So I rolled with what I drew.

The Rocket Whoopsie is actually pretty awesome if drawn at the right time. Tristana had it this time, and it gave her the chance to clear out plenty of minions.

I’ve taken a liking to all of the different commands. Each one is useful in different ways. But those minions…

Another Minion Type

Heimerdinger was doing pretty well until another sort of minion showed up. Not the Calico Critters! They swarmed him and utterly took over his mech for a time.

Oh, dear. This little group caused quite a commotion! I can only imagine the sort of damage they caused.

Poor Heimerdinger. I just got over talking about his amazing hair, and then this happened! I do believe he was a little perturbed about being climbed. Come on, now.

Fortunately, the lava was a little much for these tiny kitten paws. They all retreated without any trouble!

A Constant Onslaught

Aside from the cuteness interruption, the rest of the minions schemed and spawned. Just when a group disappeared, another wave was ready to march on.

I basically had to protect 2 sides from constant damage. It was doable, yet I had to quickly reach the center.

Corki and Tristana handled most of the problems. They blocked some minions from advancing too far. At the same time, there was always someone who broke through!

The health slowly whittled away as I raced to move all of the crystal shards into place. It looked a little grim…

Session Overview

Play Number: 14
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game (Cooperative)
Play Details: Operation: Dazzling Danger (Mission 7)
Required Play Space: 52″ x 34″
Setup Time: 10 Minutes
Play Time: 1 Hour & 15 Minutes
Outcome: Win

With just 3 health remaining, the final crystal shard was locked in place! This was much harder than this might sound. I had rune gates to manage, and endless waves of minions to fight off. All the same… Victory!

Cats and Board Games

What is this?! I turned my back for a few seconds, and the Calico Critters took it upon themselves to act like actual cats. Everything was a mess in this minion pileup!

I particularly enjoyed the cat on the far right who was pointing to the guilty party. I doubt it. That’s a very suspicious bit of paw-pointing! Ha ha!

At least they made a mess of the minions, rather than the mechs. Heimerdinger is still working on his hair.

Rumor has it that the warmer weather is finally waking these critters up from a very long winter snooze!

Affordability

Price & Value

8

Functionality

Challenges & Mechanics

10

Originality

Design & Theme

10

Quality

Components & Rules

10