Tainted Grail, a game that I really enjoy, is back on crowdfunding. This time the epic Arthurian legend board game from Awaken Realms is over on Gamefound with a new story, updated rules and story books that you can pick up if you want, and more. But for me, why I’m looking at this, is the new story. What will lie in wait for me in Tainted Grail Kings of Ruin?

About Tainted Grail Kings of Ruin

Firstly, if you want to know how Tainted Grail plays, I have a number of articles written about it. My review can be found here. But for a quick recap, Tainted Grail is an epic game of dark Arthurian legend. You play not as heroes but people just wanting to survive this twisted land of Avalon. Unfolding story of monsters, kings, and horrors that lie in the weirdness.

Tainted Grail is a survival story driven game that I enjoy a lot Because of the story primarily. The mechanics are solid, I enjoy combat and I enjoy the leveling up a lot. But the story is the selling point of the game. Each campaign, there are three with Kings of Ruin being a fourth, does some interesting and different things with the story and with the mechanics.

Kings of Ruin is going to add in another campaign. But it will add in more than that. The location cards are now different. There are secrets to be read with a red filter lens to hide them. Mainly, though, it’ll be more of what there already is for Tainted Grail.

What Doesn’t Work?

This is interesting to say, because I feel like, what I know of the updated rules with fast travel and other things, it might fix some of the issues. And I haven’t found the game bad at all on story mode. Will this fix all of that, if you don’t like that grind, I doubt it, the game is about that survival to some extent. But it likely will improve it.

What Works or is New?

So a lot of the changes sound interesting to me. In particular, I like that exploring is now free. I’m sure that they upped the cost and how much it asks you to spend energy in the exploration, but being able to explore whenever you want is nice. Though, I wonder how it will affect the replayability of the game. One thing that likely will keep Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon on my shelf is that there is a lot left to explore. Will I explore more in Kings of Ruin?

I also think that reworking diplomacy is interesting, but probably good. I’m not sure if it means that there will be more diplomacy or not, though. That is an area of the game is not utilized as well as it could be. It’s a fun part of the game, but it’s less important than combat. So hopefully reworking the system will mean that they make it as equally important.

It is also interesting ot me to have a pool of skills that are specific to each character in the game. I don’t mind sharing a pool in the base game, but it’s another way to develop more story and connection to the characters. Building up something like that is going to always be appreciated by me anyways.

Who Is It For?

I think that Awaken Realms is targeting two groups here. The first being the people who already like Tainted Grail. I think if you like Tainted Grail, it is an easy back. But the second group is for people the game missed with, but just missed with.

If you didn’t like the game at all, I don’t think a new version even with tweaks will change that for you. But if you enjoyed the exploration and story. But some of the parts of the game, the back and forth across the map or keeping the Menhir lit didn’t work for you as well. This might be a version that will work better for you. And the updated rules might even fix some of your issues in the original game.

Back or Brick Tainted Grail Kings of Ruin

For me, this is an easy Back. I really love Tainted Grail. I think the story is great and the mechanics are a lot of fun. I don’t even mind the game the way it is now, though, I do always recommend playing on story mode. So more story in Avalon, I’m interested in it. Plus, the changes seem interesting as well. I’m not sure it’ll make me like the game more, but they can’t hurt.

How about for you, Is Tainted Grail Kings of Ruin a Back or a Brick?

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