[PAX Prime 2012] Minion Master

Ghostbear · 09-06-2012, 07:36 PM

I have to admit, when I went to go see Minion Master at PAX, I wasn't sure what to expect. It looked like a hex based board game of some sort. What I found was a strategy game that hits all my happy places.

In Minion Master you summon units using cards. In order to get enough mana to cast a creature or spell you need to discard other cards in your hand. Your hand appears to be reset every turn so there isn't much point in saving cards. In order to win the game you have to reduce the enemy's life total to zero; this is accomplished by killing their creatures. Every time a creature dies, that creature's summoner loses a life point.

Minion Master is distinct from other strategy games, in that you do not directly control your units. Once they are summoned they operate according to their predetermined AI. The Kobolds will always attack the weakest unit on the field, as an example. This does not mean you do not influence the strategy of the game, far from it. If your larger Knight is getting pounded by Kobolds, tossing out a Footman will draw them off, leaving your Knight to crush the Kobolds as they move past him. Knowing all the creatures behave is key to victory. You can also change a unit's AI with certain cards; if you want that Archer to stay in one hex and shoot at anything that comes near, make sure there is a defend spell in your deck somewhere.

Speaking of your deck, you can customize it any way you like. While there are two main groups, Horror and Fantasy, they can be mixed and matched in whatever ratio you like. Finally, your dreams of Werewolves fighting alongside Knights can be realized in all their strategic glory. Keep in mind a third faction is being added before launch.

As you can tell from the video and screen shots the map is made up of hexes. You can build your own maps quickly and easily. You get the exact same tools that the developers use in making their maps. One of the neatest tools was the one that lets you build symmetrically, making the creation of a balanced map much easier. Minion Master can be played alone against the AI, but it really shines in multiplayer, allowing up to six players to duke it out online.

I walked away from Minion Master surprised and impressed. It's a fun, strategic game handled in a way that is different from other strategy games I've seen. The game will be on PC, with a release sometime this Fall. If you want to see the game on Steam, make sure you vote for it on Greenlight.

Superman's Dead · 09-06-2012, 10:32 PM

HOW DID YOU KNOW ABOUT MY WEREWOLVES AND KNIGHTS FANTASY?!

Like no chance of a SP campaign, huh?

Ghostbear · 09-06-2012, 10:44 PM

There are single player missions.

Lekon · 09-07-2012, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman's Dead

HOW DID YOU KNOW ABOUT MY WEREWOLVES AND KNIGHTS FANTASY?!

Like no chance of a SP campaign, huh?

There are single player missions, as well as skirmishes you can set up (Up to 6 players, CPU controlled, and you choose their decks) SP Campaign mode is a low priority over getting the actual game out and finished. Already there are Chainsaw Monsters, kobolds, knights etc, but the gent at the booth said they are hoping to have their next expansion be Steampunk

I had a chance to play it at PAX as well as the beta going on now, damn fine game honestly.

09-06-2012, 07:36 PM	#1
Ghostbear Mechwarrior Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Solaris VII Posts: 6,485	[PAX Prime 2012] Minion Master I have to admit, when I went to go see Minion Master at PAX, I wasn't sure what to expect. It looked like a hex based board game of some sort. What I found was a strategy game that hits all my happy places. In Minion Master you summon units using cards. In order to get enough mana to cast a creature or spell you need to discard other cards in your hand. Your hand appears to be reset every turn so there isn't much point in saving cards. In order to win the game you have to reduce the enemy's life total to zero; this is accomplished by killing their creatures. Every time a creature dies, that creature's summoner loses a life point. Minion Master is distinct from other strategy games, in that you do not directly control your units. Once they are summoned they operate according to their predetermined AI. The Kobolds will always attack the weakest unit on the field, as an example. This does not mean you do not influence the strategy of the game, far from it. If your larger Knight is getting pounded by Kobolds, tossing out a Footman will draw them off, leaving your Knight to crush the Kobolds as they move past him. Knowing all the creatures behave is key to victory. You can also change a unit's AI with certain cards; if you want that Archer to stay in one hex and shoot at anything that comes near, make sure there is a defend spell in your deck somewhere. Speaking of your deck, you can customize it any way you like. While there are two main groups, Horror and Fantasy, they can be mixed and matched in whatever ratio you like. Finally, your dreams of Werewolves fighting alongside Knights can be realized in all their strategic glory. Keep in mind a third faction is being added before launch. As you can tell from the video and screen shots the map is made up of hexes. You can build your own maps quickly and easily. You get the exact same tools that the developers use in making their maps. One of the neatest tools was the one that lets you build symmetrically, making the creation of a balanced map much easier. Minion Master can be played alone against the AI, but it really shines in multiplayer, allowing up to six players to duke it out online. I walked away from Minion Master surprised and impressed. It's a fun, strategic game handled in a way that is different from other strategy games I've seen. The game will be on PC, with a release sometime this Fall. If you want to see the game on Steam, make sure you vote for it on Greenlight. Last edited by Ghostbear; 09-06-2012 at 08:32 PM.

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