This review continues my 2022 goal of reviewing all the 50 or so games that I own. So far, I have played Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion five times, and here are my thoughts on this popular cooperative dungeon crawler.
Overview of Gameplay and Mechanics
On the face of it, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is a cooperative dungeon crawler where a band of adventurers, known as the Jaws of the Lion, fight monsters, find treasure, and unravel a mystery. The story is decent, but the heart of the game is really a clever puzzle involving an ingenious card-fighting system. Based on the original Gloomhaven, this version is a friendlier introduction with only about 20 missions to complete and a gradual onboarding of rules to make it easier for new players.
Each scenario in the campaign gives the adventurers a chance to burst into a room, usually kill all the enemies, and steal their treasure. Players play two cards each round from a custom deck specific to their character. The system is very cool and clever. During a scenario, you are forced to discard cards from your deck, which works as a game clock. The challenge is to complete all goals without dying or running out of time.
Theme and Setting
The theme is classic swords and sorcery, reminding me more of the Fighting Fantasy choose-your-own-adventure books than typical fantasy games. The setting is fairly grim, and the players may not always feel like the “good guys.” There are no common fantasy races like orcs or elves, which gives it a unique flavor. A nice touch is that the characters’ genders are not specified, allowing players to decide how to describe them. I appreciate this inclusivity and think more games should do the same.
Art and Component Quality
The art in Jaws of the Lion is very appealing. The game includes character miniatures and a lot of high-quality cardboard components and cards. Enemies are represented by cardboard standees, which is a good choice since having miniatures for every enemy would be overkill. Considering the price, the components offer excellent value.
Setup, Play, and Player Interaction
There is a lot to keep track of in this game, but unlike the original Gloomhaven, Jaws of the Lion introduces rules gradually over the first five games. This is very helpful, though there is still plenty to focus on. Setting up the game is fiddly and takes time, and breaking down after play is similar. There is some “admin” involved, like leveling up characters, resolving city cards, and buying equipment, which adds to the time needed but also deepens the experience.
Player interaction is designed to minimize “quarterbacking,” meaning players are only supposed to give general plans to others rather than controlling their moves. Everyone reveals their cards simultaneously, and the order of actions is determined by the initiative on each card. In my experience, this system works well and creates friendly, smooth cooperation with little friction.
Game Length and Engagement
Games generally fit nicely into an evening session without feeling too short or dragging on. There is minimal downtime, as players stay engaged by following each other’s moves and actions closely. The pacing feels just right for a tactical and thoughtful game.
Unique Features and Replayability
The core of the game lies in the individual character card decks. These decks control movement, fighting, special actions, and act as a timer for each scenario. Each character’s deck offers a unique style and flavor, making gameplay feel fresh and strategic. Players pick two cards each round and combine the top action of one with the bottom action of the other, trying to maximize their effectiveness while coordinating with teammates. This decision space is very satisfying and rewarding.
The campaign adds a strong narrative draw, with a story that unfolds through your choices, some of which have moral implications and consequences. Characters level up and improve as you progress. While the campaign has about 20 missions, it can feel a bit repetitive as many scenarios involve rushing into a room, killing enemies, and grabbing treasure. Nonetheless, the campaign is well-designed and engaging.
Jaws of the Lion offers one of my favorite combat systems in all board gaming, and it is nearly perfect. The tailored character decks provide a unique and enjoyable experience every time. However, the game demands a significant commitment, even in this shorter version of Gloomhaven, with many missions to complete and fiddly setup and breakdown. I would recommend this as the best Gloomhaven to start with, especially for groups ready to dive into a deep campaign.
If you like dungeon crawler settings, appreciate sophisticated card-based combat, and can commit to 15 or more plays, this game is likely for you. However, if you prefer simpler games, dislike swords and magic themes, or don’t have time for a long campaign, you might want to skip this one.
Overall, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is a fantastic value with rich gameplay and a compelling campaign. I look forward to playing it more when I can gather the right group.
Diving Deeper into Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
Continuing from the first part of my review, this section will explore more detailed aspects of Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, including the campaign structure, character progression, complexity, and how it compares to other games in the genre. Having played the game multiple times, I want to share insights that can help players decide if this game fits their tastes and gaming groups.
Campaign Structure and Storytelling
One of the strengths of this game lies in its campaign. The story unfolds gradually, with each mission revealing more about the mysterious city and the adventurers’ roles within it. Unlike many dungeon crawlers that focus purely on combat, this game weaves narrative choices and moral dilemmas into the gameplay. Players often face decisions that influence future missions and the overall arc, giving the campaign a sense of meaning beyond just clearing rooms of monsters.
The campaign is composed of about 20 missions, which strikes a balance between being substantial but not overwhelming. While some scenarios can feel repetitive in objective, the variations in enemy types, map layouts, and character roles keep things fresh. Progressing through the campaign, players will unlock new equipment, abilities, and story elements that enhance the experience.
The gradual introduction of rules helps new players absorb the mechanics without feeling lost. In the first few games, the complexity is kept manageable, allowing players to focus on learning how to use their character decks and coordinate actions. This onboarding approach makes the game more accessible than the original version, which can be intimidating for newcomers.
Character Progression and Deck Customization
Each character in the game comes with a unique deck of cards that represents their skills and abilities. As you progress, characters level up and gain access to new cards, which can be added or swapped in to customize play styles. This system offers a lot of depth because every card not only offers combat moves but also tactical options like movement, healing, or buffs.
Choosing which cards to include in your active deck is an important strategic decision. Since cards are also the game’s timer, every card you play and discard reduces your available options in that scenario. Balancing powerful attacks with utility cards while managing your deck’s endurance creates engaging tension and decision-making.
The variety among characters means players can find one that suits their preferred style, whether that is a melee bruiser, a supportive healer, or a ranged damage dealer. This diversity adds to the game’s replayability and encourages teamwork, as combining complementary characters leads to stronger group strategies.
Complexity and Accessibility
While the game gradually introduces rules, it remains a relatively complex title. Learning how to maximize card combinations and manage resources effectively takes some time and practice. However, the complexity is what makes the game rewarding for players who enjoy tactical challenges.
The use of character decks as both action and resource management tools is elegant but requires players to think several moves ahead. You must consider not only what actions benefit your team immediately but also conserve cards to avoid running out of options. This planning adds a layer of depth not often seen in dungeon crawlers.
Setup and teardown can be time-consuming due to the number of components and the organization required. The game includes many cards, tokens, standees, and the scenario book, all of which need to be arranged carefully. For groups who value quick start and end times, this might be a downside. On the other hand, those who enjoy immersing themselves fully in the gaming experience will appreciate the attention to detail.
Comparison to Other Dungeon Crawlers
In the realm of cooperative dungeon crawlers, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion stands out for its card-based combat and strong campaign narrative. Compared to other popular games like Descent or Mage Knight, it offers a more streamlined experience but retains depth through its unique mechanics.
Unlike dungeon crawlers that rely heavily on dice rolls and random chance, this game emphasizes planning and resource management through its card system. This reduces frustration from unlucky dice and increases player agency. It also encourages players to learn and master their character’s deck, rewarding strategic thinking over luck.
The cooperative nature and designed limitation on player communication reduce the problem of “quarterbacking,” where one player dominates decisions. This encourages a more democratic and enjoyable play experience. The inclusion of story choices and moral dilemmas also gives it a richer narrative compared to dungeon crawlers that are purely combat-focused.
Player Experience and Group Dynamics
Playing Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is a social experience that encourages teamwork and communication, even if the rules restrict detailed planning. Players must pay attention to each other’s moves and coordinate efficiently to succeed in scenarios. This leads to moments of shared excitement, tension, and satisfaction when strategies come together perfectly.
The limited downtime and simultaneous card reveals help keep everyone engaged throughout the game. Players are not stuck waiting for turns and can follow the evolving battlefield closely. This pace helps maintain energy and focus, which is especially important in longer campaigns.
However, the commitment required for the full campaign means that players need to be dedicated to the game and each other. Missing sessions can interrupt story flow and reduce enjoyment. For casual groups or those with irregular schedules, this could be a challenge.
Replayability and Longevity
The combination of unique character decks, multiple missions, and branching story paths ensures the game has strong replay value. Even after finishing the campaign, players can revisit scenarios with different characters or try to complete missions with higher difficulty settings.
The variety of tactical options and character roles means that no two games feel the same. The evolving story also keeps players interested in seeing how their choices impact the world. However, the core gameplay loop—enter room, fight monsters, collect loot—remains consistent and could feel repetitive to some over time.
Overall, the game balances depth and accessibility, making it suitable for players who want a rich cooperative experience with tactical combat and a compelling narrative.
Jaws of the Lion
In summary, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is a fantastic gateway into the world of Gloomhaven, offering a well-designed card-based combat system, a meaningful campaign, and cooperative gameplay that minimizes player friction. While the setup and campaign length require commitment, the payoff is a highly rewarding tactical experience.
For those who enjoy dungeon crawlers with strategic depth, meaningful choices, and strong group dynamics, this game will provide many hours of fun and challenge. It remains one of my favorite games to revisit despite the time investment, and I recommend it to players looking for a thoughtful and immersive adventure.
Exploring Advanced Strategies and Gameplay in Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
Building on the previous parts of this review, this section will focus on the advanced gameplay elements and strategic depth of Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion. Having spent significant time with this game, I want to share insights on tactics, character synergy, scenario variety, and how players can maximize their experience. This part also examines how the game challenges players and what makes it stand out among cooperative dungeon crawlers.
Mastering Tactical Combat and Card Management
At the core of this game is the innovative card system that drives combat and movement. Each player manages a deck unique to their character, and every turn involves selecting two cards, deciding how to use their top and bottom actions, and anticipating the initiative order. Mastery of this system is essential to succeed in more difficult missions.
Advanced players learn to think several turns ahead, carefully balancing aggressive actions with defensive or utility plays. The forced discarding of cards during scenarios creates a ticking clock, so players must weigh the risk of using powerful abilities early against conserving cards to last until the mission’s end. This tension adds depth to each choice.
Additionally, card combos are a big part of the strategic fun. Since you can use the top half of one card and the bottom half of another each round, discovering powerful and synergistic pairs is rewarding. Knowing when to save a card for a better combo or when to play it to react to enemy positioning can turn the tide of battle.
The game also requires adapting strategies to the ever-changing board state. Enemy movement, traps, and environmental effects force players to adjust plans constantly. The careful positioning of characters to block enemies or protect weaker teammates enhances the tactical richness.
Character Synergy and Team Composition
Success in this game depends heavily on how well players’ characters work together. Since each character brings different strengths—ranged attacks, healing, tanking, or crowd control—building a balanced team is important.
Certain combinations can create powerful synergies. For example, a tanky character drawing enemy attention allows a damage dealer to safely unleash powerful attacks. A healer can keep the group alive while others focus on objectives. Players often find that communication, even within the limits of the game’s rules about “quarterbacking,” is key to making these strategies effective.
The variety of characters available provides multiple approaches to tackling the campaign. Some groups might prefer aggressive, high-risk strategies, while others focus on cautious, controlled play. Experimenting with different party setups enhances replayability and helps players discover new tactics.
As characters level up, their decks improve and expand, adding new abilities that can change team dynamics. This evolution encourages players to revisit older scenarios with fresh perspectives and tactics, keeping the experience engaging over many sessions.
Scenario Variety and Environmental Challenges
While the general flow of scenarios is consistent—exploring rooms, defeating enemies, and collecting treasure—the variety of maps and mission objectives keeps gameplay interesting. The scenario book includes diverse layouts, some with narrow corridors that limit movement, others with open spaces encouraging ranged combat.
Environmental effects add another layer of challenge. Players might have to navigate hazards, avoid traps, or manage scenarios where enemies have special abilities. These elements force players to think beyond simple combat tactics and consider positioning and timing more carefully.
Some scenarios also introduce secondary objectives or time limits, raising the stakes. The inclusion of moral choices in the story impacts how the game unfolds, giving players a sense of agency and consequences that few dungeon crawlers offer.
Overall, scenario design encourages flexibility and creative problem-solving. Players are rewarded for adapting their strategies rather than relying on the same tactics every game.
Difficulty and Challenge Tuning
One of the notable features is the adjustable difficulty. Players can tweak how challenging missions are by altering enemy stats or the scenario conditions. This flexibility allows groups to tailor the experience to their skill level and desired challenge.
For new players, the early scenarios provide a gentle learning curve, gradually introducing more complex enemies and mechanics. More experienced players can increase difficulty to test their mastery of the game’s systems, ensuring it remains engaging.
This scaling also extends to the campaign as a whole. The game balances progression with increasing challenges, so players feel a satisfying sense of growth as they overcome tougher obstacles.
Longevity and Player Commitment
The campaign’s length and the depth of strategy mean this game requires a considerable commitment. Players who enjoy long-term campaigns with evolving stories will find it rewarding, but casual gamers might find it daunting.
The modular nature of the scenarios and character decks allows breaking the campaign into smaller chunks, which can help with pacing. Still, the full experience benefits from consistent play sessions and group coordination.
Despite the commitment, the game’s design ensures that each session feels meaningful. Progression and character growth keep players motivated, while the tactical challenges provide continuous engagement.
Community and Solo Play Options
Though primarily designed for cooperative play, the game also offers options for solo players. Managing multiple characters alone provides a different experience, focusing on optimizing deck management and multitasking.
The solo mode is well-supported and can be a great way to practice strategies or enjoy the campaign when others are unavailable. However, many players find the social aspect and teamwork to be the heart of the game.
The community around this game is passionate and creative. Many players share custom scenarios, house rules, and strategies online, which can enhance the experience and provide new challenges beyond the official content.
Conclusion:
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion stands out as a sophisticated cooperative dungeon crawler with a unique blend of tactical card combat, character progression, and narrative depth. Its advanced gameplay elements reward strategic thinking, teamwork, and adaptability.
While it demands time and dedication, the payoff is a rich, engaging experience that keeps players coming back. Whether you’re drawn by the challenging combat system, the evolving story, or the camaraderie of cooperative play, this game delivers on multiple levels.
For groups seeking a deep, rewarding dungeon crawler with plenty of tactical nuance and replayability, this is an excellent choice that remains one of the best in its category.