Sanity Test for Obelisk

83/100
Final Score
A clever, challenging cooperative puzzle that has undergone significant polishing.
Completed December 20, 2018 by Ken Franklin

Rules 65/80

Structure 9/9

Clearly carefully constructed.

Requirements 3/3

Pressent on page 1.

Introduction 3/3

You set the stage without a lot of extra words.

Overview 2/3

Very clear; the only omission is the word "or" before "any Demon walks on the same tile twice".

Component List 5/5

Both sides of cards and tiles are shown. Very clear.

Component Pictures 2/3

The art work of the demons feels rough compared to the rest of the art. Otherwise the pictures are just enough.

Setup 8/10

"Give each player...matching color obelisks per the table below." you only have 3 obelisk dice in blue, yellow, and green. How can you give 9 to a solo player or 4 to each of the players in a 2-player game?

Setup Pictures 5/7

The difficulty tables are clear (except for which dice go to whom). Very clear setup pictures for a 4-player game.

Game Play 10/15

"They can be placed at the corners of the tiles" should be "They are placed adjacent to the corner of one of more tiles." The example is very helpful.
Mining petrified demons: instead of a limited supply of green cubes, why not just add an extra dozen or so to the components of the game? Then you could delete the comment about using spare rotation tokens.
Rotate Trail Signs: can I only rotate a tile 90 degrees counterclockwise, or can I rotate it to any position?
Suggested edit: "If all Demons have been captured and there are none left in the Dark Realm, the game ends in victory!"
End Game Conditions - a Demon steps on the same tile twice - seems difficult to keep track of where the demons have been on a 5x5 board.
Consuming Growth scroll - Demons go into the supply instead of the quarry. Can they be mined? Can they only be mined if they are green?
Lightning Rod scroll: how do you mark 1, 2, and 3 charges? Does this negate terrain penalties for obelisks?

Game Play Pictures 5/7

An example of a more intricate path with multiple obelisks would be helpful.

End Point 5/6

End Game Conditions - a Demon steps on the same tile twice - seems difficult to keep track of where the demons have been on a 5x5 board.

Overall Comprehension 3/4

Other than the comments above, this seems very clear.

Clarity 3/3

Presentation 2/2

Shop Presentation 18/20

Ad 2/3

Having "Tower Defense" above the title and "Cooperative" below the title is a touch confusing. Why not combine "Cooperative Tower Defense" into a single phrase?

Backdrop 1/1

Colorful and interesting.

Logo 1/1

The logos simple and appealing.

Action Shots 5/5

These are superb action shots, showing the game in action!

Description 4/5

Very clear; the only omission is the word "or" before "any Demon walks on the same tile twice".

Video 5/5

The video explains the theme; demonstrates play; and provides an overview of play (including the scrolls expansion.) Well done!


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