Talisman Origins Review
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One thing that the board game Talisman always needed for me was some backstory and lore to the world. Talisman Origins gives us just that in a digital format. So what is this game all about and is it worth my time to pick up and play? Let’s find out.
If you have ever gotten the chance to play Talisman 4th Edition Revised or Talisman Digital edition you will be very familiar with the mechanics of this game. Where the digital edition of the game and the board game itself are very open ended with very loose lore tied to it, Talisman Origins allows for the player to go through quests and adventures using characters from the game as well as it’s past while still playing on the board Talisman players are familiar with.
How Does Talisman Origins Play?
The game plays like the Talisman Board Game itself, but gives quests and storylines in the forms of chapters. Each of these chapters feel different and has different stories to them with points in each chapter that may be interacting with other board characters, fighting bosses, or accomplishing a goal. IF you want a more in depth coverage on game mechanics please check out the Talisman Digital Edition Review Here.
The mechanics of the game are very similar to Digital Edition with players rolling dice and moving around the board to gain strength and craft, followers and items. The higher you get in stats the easier it will be to complete objectives to the chapter being played.
Some things that are different from Talisman Digital Edition and this game would be the side screen. It lays out character information a little differently. Now the items are fully laid out on the left side of the screen that fully shows the amount of strength, craft, life, followers, money, trophies and spells that are obtained during the course of the game that are on hand.
There is also a quest meter in the bottom center of the screen that shows the goals that need to be accomplished to progress through the story such as “Head to the Village”. This is different from the digital edition of the game. Though it takes the same center section of the UI, it is just a new tab to view to remind you what is the next step in the chapter of the game you are playing.
Unlike in digital edition, only necessary expansions are utilized in certain chapters. An example of this would be one chapter the city might be available and another it’s not, but the dungeon is. I think this is fitting and controls better what the characters are allowed to do in each chapter without going crazy and ignoring the story of each chapter.
The main screen UI contains different storylines and shows players which ones can be unlocked at later stages. These appear as almost books of Lore on a bookshelf which I find a fitting setup of chapter selection. When going into one campaign the book opens up to different chapters of each quest series.
In the very first chapter I played. I played as the Grand Wizard that had a goal to create the Crown of Command itself. This specific character went through 5 chapters while gathering the pieces needed to help construct the item. Along the way I got to interact with other board characters and fight bosses.
One thing that I really like about Talisman Origins is that the characters are given voices and thoughts as they progress through the game. While the writing is nothing groundbreaking, it’s a really nice thing to have and read through as it takes the player through the events that are happening in the chapter instead of just being handed objectives. Conversations and inner monologue usually occurs once an objective is met in the chapter.
That leads to the first point of this game. It can be played through quickly as you are able to skip over other players turns, or you can play traditionally and watch what the PC characters go about doing for their turns to attempt to take you down.
The game can play long at times just like the board game and I do not personally consider this to be a bad thing. I think this accurately represents how the actual base game plays while also giving the cool lore aspects of the world as playing as the main protagonist for other characters.
Combat in Talisman Origins
To anyone that eats and breathes Talisman, the combat has not changed. It’s still the roll of the die against opponents and choosing to take a life from them, one of their items, or one of their gold. I live the simplicity of the combat. I get prompted every time I have items available to use to boost or protect my scores that I roll to help me win in combat.
There are also spells and followers that can be used to alter combat. Make sure when playing this game to read through these cards that you get as they can mean a big deal between winning and losing in combat and are not reflected on the base strength and craft scores on your character profile.
Art and Audio Style in Talisman Origins
The art style for this game is virtually identical as well to digital edition. I love being able to pull up cards and view their full art as well as have easy visual cues to see who’s turn it is in the game based on the glowing base of the character as well as the fog in the background behind the board being changed to the color designation of the current character taking their turn.
Because the art of the physical game is translated so well, it really makes me feel like I am playing the game at the table with friends.
The audio and background music takes the game to a more immersive level. The music knows when to turn into epic battle scenes over regular die movement rolls across the board. All of the music is worth not playing this game on mute as it really adds a layer to this game that the is appreciated but not overly in my face. The menu is able to alter the levels of volume for music and sound effects for this game as well.
The sound effects are good in this game also. I love the sound of rolling the dice in the game. The sound effects are what I could imagine they would sound like if I was playing the physical copy now just due to how well they all fit with what is actually happening.
I would say to give the sound a try in this game even if you are a gamer that likes to listen to podcasts or music. This can still be played with sound at a low volume and it really takes it a step further in the game experience.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a game that will entertain you for a long time, this is one to consider picking up for sure. Even picking and choosing chapters the game has lasted me a long time and is a really nice way to scratch my Talisman itch that I get very often.
Nomad Games is also releasing expansions to this game for more stories to play through. Currently they have released 3 expansions to this game: Beyond the Veil, The Legend of Pandora’s Box and Eternal Conflict. Eternal Conflict is the newest release coming out back at the end of November 2019. Check them all out for yourself here.
A very quick thank you and disclosure, Nomad Games did provide review copies of this game to Dick Wizardry. The opinions on the game are not influenced in any way by this, but from are based from a true Talisman enthusiast!
If you are interested in a review specific to the expansions please comment below and let me know and I will be sure to cover them in the future.
Give this version a shot! If you were a fan of any form of Talisman, then this is a nice fit as well for the more RPG elements to what Talisman has to offer. Please check out their steam page to download at: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1033170/Talisman_Origins/
For other Talisman Content you can check the links below!
