Striking a balance between simplicity and depth is quite the challenge when it comes to card games. When the aim is to remain accessible enough to reach the widest audience possible, a bad expansion can derail a game. Unstable Games’s Here to Slay had already found the right balance, and its latest expansion “Banner Quest” is just what it needed to keep things fresh for veteran players while luring new ones into its world. Clearly, nothing’s derailing this game.
Here to Slay, from the creators of Unstable Unicorns and Twisted Cryptids, is a 2-6 player competitive fantasy strategy card game that sets itself apart by focusing on party-building. Players use cards and dice to win matches by either defeating three monsters or being the first to fully build a party composed of 6 different classes.
Challenge cards can be used to counter plays while dice modifier cards can alter the very outcome of monster battles before they even start. Each player is represented by their own oversized special hero card, which possess their own special abilities.
Fighting monsters requires a bit of strategic thinking, which is where the dice come into play. Each monster has a set of numerical targets on their cards that players have to roll for to either secure victory or suffer a loss accompanied by an added negative effect. There’s luck involved, but the game supplies the player with enough boosts and challenge cards to either strengthen a roll or weaken an opponent’s attempt at one.
A defining quality here is the characters’ cutesy designs. Much like Unstable Unicorns, each warrior and each monster is adorably menacing. Fluffy thief bears rub shoulders with wizard bunnies. It keeps the gameplay flow light, fast, and open to amusing and funny storytelling options. The more players involved, the funnier things can get. That said, Here to Slay’s gameplay loop truly soars in 3-4 player matches. It just makes the experience feel more urgent and high stakes.
Here to Slay’s latest expansion, “Banner Quest,” finds an intuitive way to build on character abilities and advantages with 10 new banner cards. Each card corresponds with one of the 10 classes available in the game (including the ones introduced in previous expansions). Players can earn these banners by having 3 cards from the same class in their parties. These special cards can’t be destroyed or stolen, but they can be seized by other players.
“Banner Quest” can be enjoyed by those that only have the base game, too. You just remove the class banners that don’t have their class cards included in the base deck and you’re ready to play. Here to Slay goes great lengths to keep the game accessible. In general, expansions for the game have been presented as smart and compelling add-ons rather than necessary purchases to build on the game’s longevity. They just make an excellent case to be invited in.
The base game is good enough to be played on its own without the need for expansions, but when expansions are this good it is hard not to incorporate them. Unstable Games has shown to be quite adept at crafting extra content. “Banner Quest” is further evidence of this, and it’s so well thought-out that fans won’t be able to imagine the game without it once they use the banners for the first time. It doesn’t turn the game into something entirely new, but it certainly makes it more fun than it already is (a feat in itself). It’s more akin to equipping new items in an RPG game after leveling up. It’s hard to go back to the starting equipment after knowing how powerful you become with the new stuff.
