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It’s hard to believe Alderac Entertainment Group have celebrated 10 years of this wonderful game series. It’s actually 11 at time of writing this review and the game continues to go from strength to strength. What’s rarer is I have kept up with the game series every step of the way (this is the only game that has happened for) right from picking up the original box set back in 2012 on a whim. I literally read the bio on Amazon and thought it sounded good, so got it for Christmas later in the year. I cannot even remember how I stumbled on it but I am so happy I did. I feel that it is incredibly fitting AEG have created the Smash Up 10 year milestone and a special celebration pack for all fans of the game to add to their Smash Up content.
A New Way To Play
Historically, Smash Up is all about battling over multiple bases in the centre of the table, breaking and then scoring those bases. After which the broken base is replaced with play continuing until someone reaches 15 victory points. There is 1 more base in the middle than there are players around the table giving plenty of choice for battles. The 10th anniversary set sees the introduction of the Big Base mode whereby all players are competing over just the single base. It is quite a shock to the Smash Up system.
Contained within the set is a board mat for Big Base play. One base is drawn from the base deck and placed in the middle of this board. Have a few spare vp tokens on hand and you are basically set to go. The significant difference is you no longer have turns but instead have rounds. VP’s can be scored after every round as opposed to breaking bases. After every round, discard the middle base and replace with a new one and commence your next round. Victory goes to the player with the most points after the 3rd round.
I love that after 10 years of content creation they have created a new game to which all previous content can be used. A couple of the rules on cards do not work but the creators have taken steps to deal with that and now I have two gaming rule mechanisms for Smash Up which is truly wonderful.
With 4 factions included in this set you can attempt a 2-player game of this new format. More content is needed for up to 4 players (you will probably have it if buying this set). Who are the 4 factions included within?
Skeletons
Given Zombies were part of the core set and vampires were part of one of the earlier/first expansions. It is incredible it’s taken 10 years to see skeletons arrive as a faction in the game as they are so obvious and a popular theme in the gaming world. They are finally here in Smash Up. Unsurprisingly we also see the burying rules appear with the skeletons, makes total sense to me with them being undead. For me, the skeletons are not going to play well with all and they will need the right faction to partner to get the best out of their burying ability. They do provide plenty of entertainment when they come rising out of the ground.
Sheep
I missed picking up this booster set when AEG released them as a special. I was gutted at the time because it was a freebie and who doesn’t love a freebie? I felt my opportunity was missed so seeing them reappear in this anniversary edition for me was brilliant. This faction is surprisingly strong with many higher power minions, top of the pile being Little Bo Peep. They like movement and the focus really feels like the sheep like to follow others. Many of your minions moving with opposing minions, just like sheep.
Mermaids
Beautiful and deadly. The Mermaids are entirely about controlling their opponents and having a huge influence on how they play, to the point of absolute frustration. They push and pull their opponents in all different directions. If you are pitted against them I would advise not to get too hung up on your strategy, the Mermaids will likely ruin it.
World Champs
This faction has no specific theme but is a beautiful tip of the hat to many previous factions from the past 10 years in a sporting environment. It Is a fully blended set with 20 unique cards, probably a first in Smash Up’s history as every card is this deck is a standalone. Not even 2 of the same power 2 minion. I’m giving no spoilers here to the contents within. I think it’s incredible though and gets me excited at the idea of a 20th anniversary set if something like this were to come around again. Come on AEG, you know it makes sense.
More Bases
Like any additional box set of Smash Up it comes with new base content. You can use either in the new game play or as you always have. All the bases again coming with a little quirky ability that usually upsets one player around the table before it is broken. The wonderful thing about all these bases (throughout Smash Up) is they really do change the dynamic of the game and totally influence strategy from the start.
More Titans
There are a host of additional titans included within this set for previously released factions. Titans have their rule printed on and they are usually quite self-explanatory. It feels like AEG have listened to fan feedback on some factions being weaker (I disagree) but provided some of those factions with a Titan to give them a little more edge and balance out the scales, a little. Whilst I might disagree with some factions being stronger and others weaker I do applaud the creators for taking steps to try and address fan concerns in the game. What the titans have done is add another layer to the factions they belong to which is very cool.
10th Anniversary Art Book
This 10th Anniversary Edition is a wonderful tribute to Smash Up. Artwork from the past 10 years combined to make a stunning document that really highlights everything great about the game. Given there are only 12,000 copies of the anniversary set printed with no intentions of doing any more I feel quite privileged to have picked a set up. If you are on the fence about getting a copy I would urge you to get one sooner over later.
Final Thoughts
I’m certainly glad all my favourite board games do not pull stunts like this and create anniversary as my bank balance would take a battering. AEG have truly delivered on this expansion set and it is a wonderful celebration of everything to do with this long-standing game series. If you love Smash Up like me you will want a copy of this.
