Unmatched Marvel: For King and Country

For me, the Unmatched game series can be summed up quite simply by my actions following the first time I played it: After playing one iteration during a game night (the Legends Vol.1 set) I immediately rushed to purchase this title in the series and a few others containing some of my favourite marvel characters.

It’s a well thought out, punchy strategy game that allows players to work alone or in a team to combat other heroes across a board themed to pull you into the set’s world. The ability to mix characters from different boxes allows for a dynamic game that feels different every time you play. This specific title in the series, Unmatched: For King and Country, is a balanced set of some of Marvel’s most well known superheroes.

Each character is given a unique set of abilities and, in the case of Black Widow and Black Panther, a familiar side kick to aid in battling their foe across a Helicarrier – that’s only a little bit on fire.

With varying abilities and card decks that matched their character aspects, the heroes felt evenly matched allowing players to keep opponents on their toes with the unique behaviours available for each character.

Game set up

Setting up Unmatched: For King and Country takes no time at all (once you’ve decided on which character to play!). Thought out instruction cards get you into play without combatants being bogged down with a huge instruction manual. This keeps in line with the energetic gameplay, allowing you to dive right into the match. The only hiccup I had with setting up was putting together the health sliders, which were a tad fiddly, but once put together very easy to use.

The minis provided are of great quality and easy to move around the board and the artwork of each hero’s card deck really fit each character’s theme. I especially liked Black Widow’s design for scheme cards, which had redacted mission information across beautiful illustrations. There’s no way you’re mixing these cards up as each set is specifically designed for each fighter’s aesthetic. The cards are easy to read, with clearly defined numbers for each power’s attack / defence force. The board map is set up so the opposite side has a version designed with vision deficiencies in mind, they both play the same but one allows for an easier time to see the zones your heroes can move across.

Into the action

With set up being quick, you can jump straight into figuring out the best way to play your character. Considerations include whether your character is a ranged or melee attacker, your companion’s abilities, as well as schemes and special moves.

Each player gets to take two actions during their turn, which can be a mix of maneuvering, attacking and scheming. This allows for each turn you take as a player to be different, affording those who prefer combat the ability to viciously attack their opponent and those who prefer a more tactical game play to move and scheme around their foe – chipping off health or preparing long-term strategies.

Black Widow is a great character for scheme-based play, while the Winter Soldier allows for heavy risk vs reward-based attacks and Black Panther works in tandem with Shuri to utilise unique boost mechanics that see T’Challa becoming more powerful as the game goes on.

Superhero showdown

Black Widow – A daring spy, is mission ready – literally! Her scheme cards are all themed around spy missions from the hero’s history. Adding a nice touch of lore while allowing for the character to feel true to her espionage motif as you battle the others. I found her gameplay to be the most stealth-based, sneakily maneuvering her to the other player’s starting space to chip off their health, avoid attacks and gain other abilities. Her companion, Maria Hill, has a brilliant defence card, which can see her brought back as a Life Model Decoy if her health hits 0. This is a nicely balanced card for their team dynamic as the two spies don’t start with the most health out of the characters in this box.

The Winter Soldier is true to his characterization of being a lone ghost on a battlefield, being the only character sans companion. His attacks hit hard, even from range, and can force other players to be uncertain in their approach. This is because he has abilities that do more damage the further they are from him and others that do more damage the closer he is to them. Winter Soldier’s main special ability is that his card effects cannot be cancelled, which is balanced nicely with his ‘Brainwashed’ condition. He has negative effects which come into play, which also cannot be cancelled – which aren’t entirely a worry however, as there’s a Scheme card in his deck that can be used which can overwrite these. This fits his characterization well as it helps simulate the struggle he experiences with regaining who he was before his capture at the hands of Hydra.

Finally, we have Black Panther. I had a lot of fun exploring Black Panther’s abilities. With the aid of his vibranium suit, you can store cards with the aim to boost your attack or defense later down the line, which simulates the kinetic absorption ability of his suit. You also have the ability to take cards from your opponent to add to your boost stash. This is particularly fun once the stolen card is revealed and they see it was going to be a major play for them! Working with Shuri allows Black Panther to regain health and having her attacks as ranged contrasted against his melee attacks really allows the brother and sister duo to team up powerfully. This team is at its best when cornering their foes on the map with attacks that become hard hitting when boosted.

Switch it up!

Mixing with other sets allows for each game to feel fresh, and that’s not to say you need to collect every one – with just one or two sets in hand there’s satisfying combinations and ways to play. While playing 1v1 we both played very different styles using the same characters, meaning if you prefer action it’s easy to play your character that way or you can focus down on strategy, saving your cards or collecting the battle and scheme tokens dotted around the map. Tactically use your companion to chip away at health or as a shield while preparing to devastate using a special move once you’ve gotten into place.

Battle and scheme tokens set on the map can really boost a player’s attacks or get a player out of a tricky spot if they’re low on cards. It added a new element to play that helped the combat feel fresh while allowing players to build a strategy from a new angle of gameplay based on positioning.

Final thoughts

Like other Unmatched games, Unmatched: For King and Country deserves the consistent high scoring reviews it receives across the board. I thoroughly enjoyed playing this set and can’t wait to play again – both standalone and in combination with others. I already know I’ll be using these heroes against the legends and fighters from other sets, having appreciated the way each character was true to their background, with themed abilities and attacks.

The artwork and quality of the game pieces is consistent across sets and this box was no different, the box comes with a built-in insert so that your minis and cards are protected and don’t rattle around, making this a game that’s easy to transport for game nights without worrying it’ll take damage!

To sum up, Unmatched: For King and Country is true to the characters with a nice mix between heroes who are great for tactical play and those who prefer heavy hitting. This set contains characters which are a great addition to the series both for standalone game play or to mix with other heroes from other box sets.

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