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In the description of the game, Vantage states “You may define success in Vantage through anything you pursue and achieve.” And, you know what? Using that criteria for the game itself is a near perfect analogy. What do I want to do? Not what should I do or what does the game want me to do. There is a saying about when you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail. (In Dungeon Crawler terms, that is “When you have a sword, everything looks like a enemy.”) Vantage gives you an entire tool box, you can use the hammer but there are so many other options that move you (and can move you) in ways that feel fresh.
One of the best analogies I've come up with for Vantage is that it is a “Water Cooler Game.” I pulled this term from when a Television Series has you gathering around the water cooler at work to talk about the latest episode. And one of the key aspects of the game is cards where you describe what you see to the other players (because you are separated on a planet and only have audio communication), it is players giving their impressions of what they saw. Well, let's assume that there is very limited space around said water cooler because, despite stating the game plays from one to six players, anything above three gives steeply diminishing returns.
Vantage always starts the same way, with your ship crash-landing on the same planet...which, in the episodic context, sounds like a great science fiction series with each episode going full edge of tomorrow/groundhog day. You'll sometimes have Déjà vu : “I've been here before.” Or, just as likely, someone else I was playing with described a location and I swear this is that location...and then you recall what they did, how they progressed, and use that to inform your decision on what you do.
Where most boardgames reward you knowledge of the systems is uses (and learning to use them “better”), Vantage rewards you with knowledge of the world it is set in. It's a completely different sensation from “normal” boardgaming but no less satisfying. The journey isn't (just) improving your tactics or strategy (because there is a little of that). The journey is taking what you learned about the world of Vantage from game to game. Yes, it firmly states that it is NOT a campaign game but maybe it is another episode in an ongoing season that explores it's world. Also pulling against that not a campaign game statement is that, if you choose to return to Vantage over and over to explore it, tossing new players into the mix will likely leave them feeling a bit disorientated. It's like watching the Firefly episode “The Train Job” before seeing “Serenity”...Wait, that was a bad analogy.
Are there occasional “episodes” of Vantage that can be less than fulfilling? Well, going back to the episodic series metaphor, yes, there can be occasional less than satisfying adventure or “episode” that end when things are just getting good. But, if you are the type of person who enjoyed Game of Thrones, Fringe, or The Lost for the journey they provided, Vantage can give you that experience. And it gives you the flexibility to choose to continue just a little longer like an post credits scene.
Does Vantage stick the landing? I'm not even sure Vantage has a landing. Many times the biggest reward in Vantage is simply the advancement/filling in of the story. There is always the individual mission/challenge presented to you to strive for but, sometimes, just going walkabout gives the same feeling of accomplishment. “From now on, do not spend boost to place a challenge dice on the slot at the upper left of this sentient.” doesn't inspire fist pumps when you unlock it...either the first time or the fifth time. Some games you will unlock a awesome item or companion that gives you a thrill but, knowing it will be gone the next game, dampens that excitement a bit.
Vantage makes me feel like I have binge watched an entire series that constantly drew me back but, somehow, didn't give me the ending that rivaled the trip. And while it is too early to tell, I can see myself “rewatching” Vantage at a later date, like starting a favorite series over from the beginning.
Try to dismiss your expectations when coming into Vantage. where it takes you will likely not be what you expect. But, if you use the toolbox it provides, it can be a uniquely inventive experience.
A review copy of this release was provided by the publisher. Therewillbe.games would like to thank them for their support. All images used in this review were provided by the publisher to avoid spoilers.
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