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rating
Ludopedia
8.2
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS
If you already enjoy Street Masters and want more story and challenge, this expansion is for you! Hanzo returns in full force with a new boss to keep you busy.
Highlights
- More engaging narrative
- Iconic new fighter
- Challenging bosses
- Awesome thematic stages
Keep in mind
- Expansion requires base game
- Moderate language dependency
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get ready for more action in Street Masters with the Essence of Evil expansion! This beauty adds a new boss, the shadowy Ikuchi, and a new set of challenges across two brand-new stages: Reign Storm and Ring of Fire. And the best part: you can control the legendary Hanzo, a complete fighter with his own 25-card deck, ready to face the powerful Ayakashi faction. The story of this expansion revolves around Hanzo trying to prevent a former pupil, Kyoryu (now known as Ikuchi), from succumbing to dark powers and becoming a monster. Essence of Evil isn't just another boss; it's a deep dive into the narrative, expanding the Street Masters universe with new dilemmas and epic confrontations. If you enjoy cooperative games with dice rolling, tactical grid movement, and a good dose of hand management, this expansion is a must-have. The fantasy theme with fighting elements and video game inspiration ensures an engaging experience. Language dependency is moderate, so a bit of preparation with translations might be needed to fully enjoy the story and card nuances. It's an expansion that brings more depth and variety for those already fans of the base game.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
OK
2
OK
3
OK
4
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Publisher
Blacklist Games
Designer
Adam Sadler, Brady Sadler
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Do I need the base Street Masters game to play this expansion?
Yes, Essence of Evil is an expansion and requires the base Street Masters game to be played.
How many players can participate?
Just like the base game, this expansion is for 1 to 4 players.
What is the average playtime with this expansion?
Playtime ranges from 45 to 120 minutes, depending on player experience and the chosen scenario.
Does the game's complexity increase with this expansion?
The complexity remains similar to the base game, but the introduction of new enemies and scenarios may require new strategies.
Do I need to know English to play?
There is a moderate language dependency, mainly on story and ability cards. It's recommended to have translated cards or a reference sheet.
What does the expansion add to the game?
It adds a new fighter (Hanzo), a new boss (Ikuchi), a new enemy faction (Ayakashi), and two new combat stages (Reign Storm and Ring of Fire), plus a new story.
Is it a solo game?
Street Masters is primarily a cooperative game, but it can be played solo, with this expansion offering more content for that mode.