Dreamwars – A Game of Steampunk & Horror

Hello everyone, welcome.  Today I am going to be doing a video and picture post about the new game, Dreamwars.  Dreamwars is an adventure game set in a steampunk fantasy world with a strong horror theme in it, where players take the role of heroes with unlockable abilities, spells and equipment and then venture into the game world to face monsters and challenges.  I did originally back this Kickstarter, however I withdrew my pledge as I realised that I had backed many things and that my flat is not of Gallifreyan design.  However, two of my friends did back it, one of which is the owner of my local gaming store, who sold his copy to another friend who then loaned it to me to do an unboxing and how to play video.  So, thanks to them you have this post.  Let’s get on with it, shall we.  Dreamwars, in two videos…
Unboxing and Card Anatomy

and now, how to play

However, as someone who has watched many unboxings and the like in the past, I am aware that I always wanted a closer look at the components than you get on the video, so I took some photos too.

The Board in Dreamwars shows 2 towns and a lot of other areas to explore

Ending your turn in a city location, in Dreamwars,allows you to draw a City Intrigue Card which may be good or bad

Ending your turn in a rural location, in Dreamwars,allows you to draw an Outland Mysteries Card which may be good or bad

There are various types of itemEquipment in Dreamwarsincluding Common, Tech, Cantici and Dream Shards

I deliberately chose that Deep Dive armour for the Tech Item as it made me think of Hadrinn, my DnD Dwarf, who used to fight sea monsters for a living.  Anyway, onto the characters.

Melanie West from Dreamwars

M.A.X from Dreamwars

Eogart from Dreamwars

Duncard Yaeger from Dreamwars

Aiber Bahal from Dreamwars

Liana Stern from Dreamwars

Eilor Sandar of Dreamwars

Ilariel Sint of Dreamwars

And now, onto the villains…

Admiral Seazar and Event Cardsof Dreamwars

I should point out, in case it is unclear, the event cards in Admiral Seazar’s image and future pictures will change on a turn by turn basis, and I only selected three that matched one of the celestial alignments on his/their cards.

Mit-Rak and Event Cardsfrom Dreamwars

Chamberlain Beogargan from Dreamwars

Master Epehson from Dreamwars

Argonor from Dreamwars

Zakuthor from Dreamwars

Hakeron of Dreamwars

Rakaroth from Dreamwars

Cynther and Event Cardsfrom Dreamwars

That is all the great Nemesis cards from the core set.  Now, I thought I would share a handy reference guide to symbols, to save you checking the rules.

Quick Reference for symbols on the Dreamwars Board

And finallyFront and Reverse side of a nemesis token from Dreamwars

You can see the Defense Value at the top, so heroes need to roll 4 or fewer when the Cultist attacks, it has one wound and a speed of three.  On the reverse is some flavour text and in the case of other, more powerful monsters, their special rules would be located under the flavour.

 

So that is Dreamwars.  I think it looks pretty awesome, having what appears to be borrowed and simplified mechanics from the game, Arkham Horror (Great Game, lots of rules…).  Each adventure can be played stand alone, however Dreamwars is predicated on the three chapter system, with success or failure in each chapter branching into a new scenario.  That, I like, it means that there is a lot of outcomes to any one ordeal (4 in fact) and I think this adds to replay value.  And, let’s be honest here.  For those in my generation who had Heroquest, we replayed those adventures a lot anyway.  Hope you enjoyed, see you next time!

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5 thoughts on “Dreamwars – A Game of Steampunk & Horror

  1. Me: scrolling through the WordPress reader. Annoying little voice enters head ” oh look it’s a new post from John” Me ignoring little voice…about to scroll on but voice continues ” Did you see that picture….you have to at least see the post right? Right? DO IT DO IT DO IT!”
    Me sighing and clicking on the post, reading the post..and knowing I am now lost and totally want to buy this game because it looks freaking awesome. I sometimes hate that little voice 😢😢😢
    What can I say, great post! 😀😀 And boy oh boy does this game look great 😀😀

    1. Yeah, I agree. Am hoping we are going to get a game of it this week on our boardgames night, but will have to see. It pleases me no end that I have managed to get into your head like that. Normally I have to GM for someone for a couple of sessions before they become insanely paranoid or terrified (For instance, I reminded players recently it isn’t a good idea to make your enemies bleed when you are half a mile out to sea and there is a Wereshark nearby…) Glad you enjoyed it. I’d say I feel about about doing this to you. But I don’t. Not regretting not backing it but eager to play it

      1. Haha 😂😂 A Wereshark huh? Did those players in the end stick with the game, or were there men in white labcoats standing by to take them away 😂😂
        Lol….well with recommendations like this,I would not regret it either. So really, thank you 😊😊

      2. They’re coming back for more. I think they enjoyed the adrenaline rush from faux fear.

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