Gloomhaven

 PC
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 42
  3. Negative: 8 out of 42

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  1. MWaldo
    Nov 8, 2021
    10
    Gloomhaven is a great game for anyone looking for a tactical, turn-based dungeon crawler.
  2. UberTurtle
    Nov 8, 2021
    8
    As a big fan of the board game who primarily plays solo, this game is amazing to have (this game can be played in multiplayer as well, but I have limited experience with that so I can't speak to it personally). The time/effort saved by not having to manage the monsters means I can do 2-3 scenarios here for every one scenario I would have done on Tabletop Simulator. Additionally, the gameAs a big fan of the board game who primarily plays solo, this game is amazing to have (this game can be played in multiplayer as well, but I have limited experience with that so I can't speak to it personally). The time/effort saved by not having to manage the monsters means I can do 2-3 scenarios here for every one scenario I would have done on Tabletop Simulator. Additionally, the game looks good, which is certainly pleasant. And the extent to which the game recaptures and recreates the board game campaign is more faithful than I ever could have imagined it would be.

    If you've never played the board game and have no idea what I'm talking about, whether this game is interesting to you or not is just going to depend on whether you like turn-based tactical dungeon crawlers. Gloomhaven is probably the best turn-based tactical dungeon crawler of all time. Do note that this is less RPG and more "puzzle" than you probably expect. It's not a puzzle in the sense that you have to solve pre-created puzzles, but rather the stamina and action system will make turns and scenarios into combat/optimization puzzles. You won't be rushing in with your tank, healing them with your healer, and dpsing with your damage-dealers. You'll evaluate the board and try to figure out the best way to get through the room, killing the enemies while taking as little damage as possible and expending as few resources as possible.

    All that being said, there are some RPG-like elements in the sense of the campaign progress: you earn gold and experience with which you improve your character over time. Additionally, you'll improve the town itself over time, which unlocks additional items for purchase. Most significantly, your characters will all have life goals and when they complete them, you'll unlock completely new classes to play (there are 6 starting classes and 11 locked classes). The mechanics of most classes are so significantly different that the novelty and excitement of unlocking and getting to try these new, different classes is amazing.

    So that's all of the good, how about the bad? Well, honestly, at this point, just bugs. Lots and lots and lots of bugs. In about 40 hours of play since the campaign released, I encounter on average one bug per scenario. They are pretty much never game-breaking or scenario-ruining bugs, but they are definitely there. Additionally, many scenarios have special rules that aren't adequately explained in the UI currently. I know that both of these issues are currently being heavily worked on and the company plans on continuing to support the game for a long time, so I'm sure these problems will be resolved, but for now they do drag the score down a bit unfortunately. Regardless, I still would not hesitate to recommend this game, and the longer it's been since this review was written that you're reading it, the more likely the game is even better than the assessment I gave here.    … Expand
  3. Deltium
    Aug 12, 2023
    10
    Despite a very rough start to this game, the PC version is now OK with recent patches. Gloomhaven is a good game, and this PC port is reasonably good.
  4. MandatoryQuest
    Nov 8, 2021
    9
    As a super fan of the board game I have to tip my hat to the devs for an outstanding effort in bringing the game to life. It’s not easy translating a game this fiddly in both rules and mechanics to the screen, but for the most part they have done an excellent job and in some areas even over delivered. My experience is heavily influenced by my time with the board game which does mean someAs a super fan of the board game I have to tip my hat to the devs for an outstanding effort in bringing the game to life. It’s not easy translating a game this fiddly in both rules and mechanics to the screen, but for the most part they have done an excellent job and in some areas even over delivered. My experience is heavily influenced by my time with the board game which does mean some small bugs or rules inconsistencies don’t pass me by unnoticed. There’s nothing game breaking, but a veteran of the board game can find nits to pick. The game isn’t quite perfect in this area, but the devs have communicated excellently throughout early access and now into release and continue to improve the game with weekly patches, so I don’t expect these issues to persist much longer. Gloomhaven is notorious in the board game world as a brutal, unforgiving, and deeply strategic game. This is not a jolly romp through a dungeon like similar titles. It is instead a thoughtful action management game that will challenge you right from scenario 1. You have to pick your fights and your actions carefully, and the game often takes on a more puzzly feel as you try to react and deal with the threats as presented. This makes it very unique in the dungeon crawl genre, and people used to a more traditional DnD style system will be in for a shock. Often the answer is not to always run in and swing your axe if you are a warrior for example. Gloomhaven really rewards thoughtful play making it difficult at first to grasp for some players. For those with a bit of patience and willingness to learn there’s an ocean of depth here to explore, but those of you looking for a more casual affair might find the game difficult and sometimes frustrating. I adore this game in any form, but I can safely say that Digital (when bug free) is the best way to play Gloomhaven in my eyes.… Expand
  5. Scrap
    Nov 8, 2021
    9
    A deep, challenging turn based strategy game. Endless possibilities allow for players to make impactful decisions for the benefit, or detriment, of the team. A faithful recreation of the physical board game with wonderful 3d graphics, great voice acting, and intuitive menuing. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes the physical game. No need to fuss around with the components.A deep, challenging turn based strategy game. Endless possibilities allow for players to make impactful decisions for the benefit, or detriment, of the team. A faithful recreation of the physical board game with wonderful 3d graphics, great voice acting, and intuitive menuing. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes the physical game. No need to fuss around with the components. Very minor bug issues, but developer has been very responsive in their discord. Overall, very, very happy with the game!… Expand
  6. DocFriendship
    Nov 8, 2021
    8
    A faithful adaptation of the board game, I’ve put well over 500 hours into it during early access and I expect I’ll easily put another 500 in during the campaign. While it’s not without the occasional bug, the dev team has been great about clearing these quickly. I’d highly recommend this game to any fans of strategy and legacy board games. Well worth the price of admission!
  7. Ebeniste
    Nov 9, 2021
    10
    This is a great strategic game. It is really fun to explore with friends. There are really fun puzzles to solve as not all scenarios are designed to just kill all ennemies. It feels really rewarding when you succeed a challenging scenario. I also fin it great that it is faster to setup a scenario, when compared to the board game. You can really just jump in the game very fast, on PC.This is a great strategic game. It is really fun to explore with friends. There are really fun puzzles to solve as not all scenarios are designed to just kill all ennemies. It feels really rewarding when you succeed a challenging scenario. I also fin it great that it is faster to setup a scenario, when compared to the board game. You can really just jump in the game very fast, on PC.

    The game still has a few bugs tho. I still give it 10/10 since it saves every round. When it softlocks, you can really easily return to where you were. I believe in the team and they will solve the few bugs really soon.    … Expand
  8. Byrnd
    Nov 9, 2021
    9
    I think the board game is a 10/10 despite not being perfect and this implementation is excellent in almost all aspects. However, I think a few improvements could be made for new people coming in to spell things out clearer to them. However, it's a super fun way to play gloomhaven - guildmaster mode offers even more depth, and the characters you love (and maybe don't so much love) are allI think the board game is a 10/10 despite not being perfect and this implementation is excellent in almost all aspects. However, I think a few improvements could be made for new people coming in to spell things out clearer to them. However, it's a super fun way to play gloomhaven - guildmaster mode offers even more depth, and the characters you love (and maybe don't so much love) are all there to play as. Highly recommend for anyone who likes tactical card combat or fun co-op games.… Expand
  9. Annona
    Nov 9, 2021
    10
    Faithful adaptation of one of the best board games ever made. Despite some bugs, overall and excellent experience solo and multiplayer.
  10. Avignon
    Nov 9, 2021
    8
    Consider this a 9 once every single bug is gone, a 9.5 once additional content drops and a 100/10 if FFS adds in something similar to the contents of Envelope X. Given their history of working with the community, of the fan made classes would be awsome to see official release.
    A faithful adaptation of the BASE (and only base) version of the original boardgame developed after a lengthy    Consider this a 9 once every single bug is gone, a 9.5 once additional content drops and a 100/10 if FFS adds in something similar to the contents of Envelope X. Given their history of working with the community, of the fan made classes would be awsome to see official release.
    A faithful adaptation of the BASE (and only base) version of the original boardgame developed after a lengthy beta in colaboration with the fans the original author of the boardgame. It's still abit buggy in (seemingly random sometimes) places at launch but no doubt these will be iron out swiftly. Gameplay wise this is pseudo - legacy style boardgame dungeo crawler translated to the digital, if you're a fan of Darkest Dungeon or Slay the Spire and it's ilk, you're going to have a toroughly enjoyable time with this.    … Expand
  11. dragonzom
    Dec 3, 2021
    9
    It feels like the real game and much cheaper but there is just something about the board game that feels better.
  12. obiwan_kanzi
    May 9, 2022
    10
    Gloomhaven digital is an outstanding implementation of the highest rated board game of all time as per boardgamegeek.com, which won also the board game digital adaptation of the year 2021 award. I played the boardgame for hundreds of hours before getting the digital version, so my biggest concern was if this could lure me into replaying the boardgame campaign another time. it did by addingGloomhaven digital is an outstanding implementation of the highest rated board game of all time as per boardgamegeek.com, which won also the board game digital adaptation of the year 2021 award. I played the boardgame for hundreds of hours before getting the digital version, so my biggest concern was if this could lure me into replaying the boardgame campaign another time. it did by adding a whole new game mode and smaller optimizations such as reworked balancing.

    I've not encountered the omnipresent bugs mentioned in other reviews here, so I assume they have been patched in the meantime.    … Expand
  13. bepohal
    Aug 12, 2022
    10
    definitely a perfect implementation of the board game. 10/10 in every aspect of the game. you get the full rig dungeon crawler experience here

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Best PC Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 18, 2022
    100
    Even if you have never heard of the legendary board game Gloomhaven, you should not miss its digital adaptation. If you enjoy ingenious turn-based strategies and dark fantasy, Gloomhaven is the game for you. In addition, thanks to multiplayer, you don't have to go on dangerous expeditions alone, and thanks to the support of creating new scenarios, the game offers an endless number of adventures and rotten dungeons.
  2. Games.cz
    Nov 30, 2021
    90
    The best-reviewed board game in the world gets its own digital adaptation - and it’s excellent. The board game comes to life thanks to beautiful animations and sounds. This is a true treat for any strategy game enthusiast.
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  3. Eurogamer Italy
    Nov 22, 2021
    50
    Gloomhaven tries to bring the experience of the board game on our screens, but fails to recreate the feel of being around a table. The game, although very loyal to the source, lacks pacing and the missions (very repetitive after a while), even at the lowest levels, are incredibly hard and for the most part frustrating. It is definitely overwhelming for a new player, and way too much relying on RNG for a good result. A good opportunity that sadly doesn’t really deliver.
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