Dive into battles, explorations and a world of robots in RoboMon from Barrett Publishing. A game for 1 to 2 players.

So you’ll notice a bit of a different format. This is more my review style format, but breaking down the page and game from what I can tell on the crowdfunding page.

RoboMon Quick Overview

RoboMon from Barrett Publishing probably seems familiar. It definitely builds on the ideas and themes that you get in Pokemon and Digimon. You are exploring a world, getting into robot battles, leveling up your robots until you can become a fully licensed RoboMon Ranger.

This game is trying to do a bit of everything, but in a way that looks like it could work. You go around maps which lead to fights, getting items, comic book style cut scenes and more in the game. But the core two pieces, from what I can tell are using that map book exploration and then the tactical combat.

Of course there are robots as well. And they are probably going to be the main part of the game. Getting and building up your team of robots and then leveling them up. So it appears to have either some resource gathering, or more likely, fighting, getting money from those fights, buying stuff to level up your robots and then doing that.

What Doesn’t Work?

Obviously this is just speculation, but I have two areas of concern for this game. Firstly is that there is no rulebook. There are rules reference cards and as you play through the game, and open the box, it is supposed to teach you. That is always a concern because if I need to reference something later, how is that handled. Yes, rules reference, but what if it’s not on that. I know it was covered but how can I find it again.

I also wonder a little bit about the open world and freedom of the game. You can do anything in any order, but generally that means that there is probably kind of an order that you want to follow. Sleeping Gods did make this work, though. In that, there are easy areas, and as you go other further in the book of maps from the center, you find harder things. So if it gives that sort of open feel to it, I like that. Plus, as a solo game, it can work better as well. It’s open and free and no turn order, well, it is just me, so that works.

What Works?

Firstly what draws me in is the theme. I don’t have a ton of connection to Pokemon or Digimon. I watched a little Digimon growing up, and I thought the show was entertaining. But I never played any of the Pokemon games, though I am tempted regularly to pick one up. This might push that over the edge. But I’ve always liked this idea of exploring, leveling up, getting new robots (monsters) and doing that some more.

I really like the aesthetic of the game as well. I think that the work is nice. And it gives a 16-bit vibe to it with being much cleaner and clearer. I think I’d be less interested in this if it was actually 16-bit or 8-bit artwork. But this just gives a little bit of that feel to the artwork which gives it a bit of a 90’s vibe.

The solo nature of the game also works for me. It looks like two player is just splitting up control of things, which is something that’s easy enough to do in any true solo game. This is one that I could see getting and having fun streaming because of the solo play. And I think that I gravitate towards games that give that balance between story and tactics in the game. It’s nice to be able to change it up every now and again.

Who Is This For?

I think someone who likes the video games for Pokemon and wants to get some of that experience in a board game. This to me is that perfect thing, or maybe if your significant other or a close friend who maybe doesn’t board game. Get this if they like Pokemon and play it two players to have that shared gaming experience in a world that is going to feel familiar.

But I also think it’s for gamers who like adventure games. And for people who don’t mind playing a solo game. My guess is that this will be easier to setup than a Sleeping Gods, or Stars of Akarios. But if you can leave it setup, even better. I really think this will give that lighter adventure gaming itch a good scratch.

Back or Brick

Final Thoughts on RoboMon

This is where I’m going to take about a few things with this game. Firstly the price of the game, because it doesn’t really fit into what works or doesn’t work. It’s unique and probably should always be talked about anyways. This is a solid price for this game. 300+ page adventure book, 70+ maps, 300+ cards, all of that is great. It even comes with a pencil for the character sheet. $80+shipping is a solid price. I also wonder how likely it’ll show up in retail so this might be your best chance to get it.

For me, though, I am torn on the game. I think I’d likely enjoy this game a lot. I like the artwork, I like the theme, and I love games with fun adventure, story, combat, everything that this game is offering. The question I am asking myself is do I need another game like this? Especially since I just got in Oathsworn, Stars of Akarios, and Etherfields with Chronicles of Drunagor not too far behind and ISS Vanguard not far behind that. But with some of those, Oathsworn and ISS Vanguard, I probably want to do in a group. This is one that is made for me to play solo.

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