# Return to Dark Tower

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2022
- **BGG Rating**: 8.2
- **BGG Rank**: #228
- **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 100-120 min
- **Weight**: 2.65 / 5
- **Designers**: Brian Neff, Isaac Childres, Justin D. Jacobson, Noah Cohen, Rob Daviau, Tim Burrell-Saward
- **Artists**: Chad Hoverter, Garrett Kaida, Hakan Diniz, James Bousema, Jason D. Kingsley, Jason Taylor, JJ Ariosa, Lindsay Daviau, Punga Miniatures, Qistina Khalidah, Tim Burrell-Saward
- **Publishers**: Restoration Games, Broadway Toys LTD, Choo Choo Games, Lucky Duck Games, Ігромаг
- **Categories**: Adventure, Electronic, Fantasy, Fighting
- **Mechanics**: Area Movement, Cooperative Game, Events, Push Your Luck, Random Production, Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game, Solo / Solitaire Game, Sudden Death Ending, Trading, Variable Player Powers, Variable Set-up

## Verdict
Perfect for epic fantasy lovers who want the adrenaline of a modern hybrid game. The tension of the second act is unmatched!Innovative and immersive digital integrationHigh-quality physical componentsDramatic and exciting climaxGreat replayability with variable setupsLearning curve for newcomersTotal dependency on the appHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
You know that feeling that evil never truly dies? In Return to Dark Tower, that's exactly what's happening. After ages in ruins, the dreaded tower is awakening, and the realm is starting to feel the symptoms: flocks of crows falling from the sky and lakes freezing solid in the height of summer. The tension is palpable, and now it's up to you and your friends to step into the shoes of heroes to prevent the darkness from dominating everything once again.

This game is a modern reimagining of the 1981 grail game, but with a massive technological upgrade. You'll explore the map, gather resources, cleanse buildings, and fight monsters on dangerous quests. The initial goal is to grow strong enough and discern who the ultimate foe is this time. The experience is split into two acts: first, the preparation and exploration phase; then, the dramatic climax, where you face the tower in a decisive final battle. It's a 'do or die' moment where a single mistake can lead to total defeat.

The standout feature here is the hybrid integration. The game combines traditional mechanics like resource management and engine building with an innovative digital interface. The physical tower itself isn't just for show; it hides secrets and interacts with the app, creating an immersion rarely seen in board games. Whether playing cooperatively, joining forces against the system, or in competitive modes, the tension remains constant. Get your strategies ready, because the tower is rising and time is running out. Are you ready to face whatever is lurking inside?

## How to Play
Game Objective
Return to Dark Tower is a cooperative game where heroes from the Four Kingdoms unite, aided by a companion, to breach the Tower and defeat the adversary. You all win or lose together. Your goal is to complete the main goal and then defeat the adversary in battle before the end of the sixth month, otherwise the Four Kingdoms fall and the adversary’s reign becomes absolute.

Preparation (Setup)
World Setup

    Place the game board so each kingdom faces a different player.
    Turn on the Tower, let the levels rotate, and slide on the 12 seals to cover the openings. Place the Tower in the center of the board.
    Place the 16 buildings in their designated spaces.
    Create a supply using warrior tokens, spirit tokens, and exactly 24 skulls.
    Sort gear cards into 6 face-up stacks (3 copies of each card per stack).
    Shuffle treasure cards and place the top 3 in a face-up row to create the market.
    Shuffle potion cards and corruption cards into separate face-down decks.
    Place companion cards, quest markers, and the haggle die near the board.


Hero Setup

    Place your hero board in front of you.
    Place 3 hero virtue tiles in empty slots, inactive side up.
    Place your hero figure on the citadel of the kingdom in front of you (your home kingdom).
    Place the kingdom virtue tile of your home kingdom in an empty slot on your hero board.
    Collect starting resources: 7 warriors and 1 spirit.


App Setup

    Launch the app, select "new game," and sync your device to the Tower.
    Select "cooperative" mode and the desired difficulty (Heroic or Gritty).
    Select the number of players, the main goal (and retrieve the matching companion card), and the adversary (place the adversary card and adversary token nearby).
    Select foes (one level 2, one level 3, and one level 4) and place their foe cards and foe tokens nearby.
    Press "begin game" and follow final app prompts for adding skulls, spawning foes, and placing the main goal quest marker.


Game Flow
The game is played over a series of months. If the main goal is not completed and the adversary defeated by the end of the sixth month, the heroes lose.

Monthly Cycle
At the start of each month (except the first), the app provides two monthly quests: a Companion Quest (to gain a new companion or quest item) and an Adversary Quest (which, if failed, allows the adversary to advance their plans). If not completed by the end of the month, these quests fail.

Turn Structure
Players take turns in clockwise order. Each turn consists of three steps:

    Start of Turn: You may optionally take the Banner action listed on your hero board.
    Middle of Turn: You may Move, take a Heroic Action, and take a Reinforce Action. These are optional and can be performed in any order.
    End of Turn: You must drop a skull into the Tower.

After a player's turn, Events may occur (such as Foes Strike, Foes Spawn, Foes Grow in Power, The Tower Stirs, The Tower Acts, Companion Events, or New Wares). Once events are resolved, the next player's turn begins.

Actions and How to Play
Movement
Move up to your base move value. You may spend 1 spirit to double your move for the turn (this must be done before moving). You can move through foes, skulls, tokens, or other heroes.

Heroic Actions
You may take only one Heroic Action per turn. After completing one, you gain 2 spirit. Before Battle or Quest actions, calculate your Advantages (automatic black background or conditional grey background with a cost). You can spend up to 10 Advantages per action to improve results.

    Cleanse: Remove all skulls from a building on your space and return them to the supply.
    Battle: Battle a foe on your space. Draw battle cards equal to the foe's level. Spend Advantages to improve the results of these cards. Once all cards are resolved, the foe is defeated and removed.
    Quest: Complete a quest (including the main goal) by meeting requirements, or Explore a Dungeon by entering rooms until the target room is found. Spend Advantages to improve room results.


Reinforce Action
Once per turn, while on a space with a building, you may Reinforce. You can optionally roll the haggle die first to modify the result. You choose between a Free Effect or an Enhanced Effect (which costs spirit):

    Citadel: Gain a potion (Free) or gain one virtue (Enhanced).
    Sanctuary: Gain spirit (Free) or remove all corruptions (Enhanced).
    Village: Gain warriors (Free) or gain more warriors (Enhanced).
    Bazaar: Gain gear (Free) or gain 1 treasure (Enhanced).


Other Mechanics

    Trading: Once per turn, you may trade warriors, spirit, items, and companions with heroes on your space. You cannot trade virtues or corruptions.
    Corruptions: Gained when you cannot resolve a loss of resources/items, when a quest fails, or when a building in your home kingdom is destroyed. You can have a maximum of two; a third results in an immediate loss.
    Glyphs: When a seal is removed, a glyph is revealed. If a glyph faces your home kingdom, you must spend 1 spirit to take the matching action.


End of Game and Scoring
Winning the Game
The heroes win if they complete the main goal (which causes the adversary to spawn) and then defeat the adversary in battle.

Losing the Game
The heroes lose immediately if any of the following occur:

    A hero would gain their third corruption.
    The sixth month ends.
    A skull must be taken from the supply, but the supply is empty.


Tips for Winning

    Manage the Tower's Influence: Use the Cleanse action to remove skulls from buildings, as a fourth skull on a building destroys it, causing the home kingdom's hero to gain a corruption.
    Optimize Resources: Use spirit strategically to double your movement or activate Enhanced Effects at buildings to gain virtues and treasures.
    Leverage Advantages: Calculate your Advantages carefully before Battle or Quest actions to mitigate losses of warriors and spirit, preventing the gain of corruptions.

## FAQ
### Do I need a phone or tablet to play?
Yes! The game is hybrid, so the app is essential for managing the narrative and the tower.

### Is it hard to learn?
It's considered an 'expert' game, so there's some complexity, but the 'how to play' videos help a lot.

### Can I play solo?
Absolutely! The game has a dedicated solo mode for those who want to face the tower alone.

### How long does a game last?
Expect to spend between 100 to 120 minutes to complete the journey.

### Is the game only cooperative?
No, while the focus is cooperation, there are competitive modes for those who prefer the rivalry.

## Price Comparison
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