Ancient Terrible Things: Reawakened brings pulp horror to life as players take on the roles of adventurers delving into a jungle full of ancient secrets. This dice-rolling, resource-managing board game is all about overcoming dangerous encounters and racking up points.
The latest edition brings together content from previous expansions with refreshed artwork, enhancing the game’s strategy and visual appeal.
The Game Mechanics
At the heart of the game is a mix of dice rolling, resource management, and card play. Players roll dice to beat encounters and earn resources like Focus, Treasure, Feat, and Mystery tokens—each serving a unique purpose:
Focus Tokens (green) help adjust dice rolls, giving players more control.
Treasure Tokens (yellow) let you buy Swag cards for long-term perks.
Feat Tokens (blue) activate one-time effects that can turn the tide in critical moments.
Mystery Tokens (purple) offer rare, scenario-specific benefits.
Players explore different locations, face encounters, and manage resources to avoid penalties like Tentacle tokens—which can hurt your final score but also offer tactical advantages during the game.
Tentacle Tokens and Their Role
Tentacle tokens penalize players when they fail encounters, lowering their score at the end of the game. However, they can also be spent for helpful effects during gameplay, like gaining Feat cards or refreshing Swag cards. It’s a careful balance—use them for a short-term boost, but watch them pile up by game’s end.
Card Decks
The game’s variety comes from its cards, which add layers to the gameplay:
- Encounter Cards present the challenges at each location, divided by difficulty (green, orange, red).
- Swag Cards offer ongoing benefits and can be purchased with Treasure tokens.
- Feat Cards provide one-shot abilities for clutch moves.
- Scenario Cards alter game objectives, keeping each session fresh.
- Achievement Cards reward players who collect specific sets of encounter icons with bonus points.
This card system keeps every game session different, adding strategic depth and excitement.
Game Components
The production quality of Ancient Terrible Things: Reawakened is top-notch, with sturdy tokens and beautifully illustrated cards. The wooden dice, while functional, may not be everyone’s cup of tea—I personally plan to swap them out for something with a better feel. Still, the overall visual and tactile experience is impressive, with detailed artwork by Rob van Zyl capturing the pulp-horror theme perfectly.
Game Play Thoughts
The Good
Replayability is a standout feature here. With its modular setup, different Scenario and Encounter cards, and the strategic use of Swag and Feat cards, each game feels fresh. You’ll constantly be adapting to new challenges while making meaningful decisions about when to spend your tokens for short-term gains or save them for critical moments later on.
What makes this game shine is how it balances luck and strategy. While dice-rolling introduces randomness, players can manipulate outcomes with the resources they collect, creating a deeper, more rewarding experience. The visuals and thematics, combined with varied challenges, make every playthrough feel like a unique adventure.
The game’s cooperative elements also stand out. While mostly competitive, bonuses and advantages at locations often benefit multiple players, keeping everyone engaged during each other’s turns. This adds a fun social element without slowing down the competition.
The Bad
That said, Ancient Terrible Things: Reawakened leans heavily on dice rolling, and while the game provides tools to mitigate bad luck, there are still moments when the randomness takes center stage. However, these moments often lead to hilarious outcomes—like missing a seemingly easy roll when it matters most. The strategic depth offered by tokens and cards helps keep luck in check, ensuring the game doesn't feel purely chance-based.
Downtime between turns, particularly in larger games, can also be an issue, as players resolve encounters one by one. This can occasionally slow down the game’s pacing, especially with three or four players.
Final Thoughts
Ancient Terrible Things: Reawakened is a visually stunning and deeply engaging game that blends strategy, luck, and adventure. With its immersive theme, clever resource management, and unique take on token use, the game strikes a perfect balance between strategic depth and lighthearted fun. Whether you’re a fan of dice-based games or looking for something with strong replay value, this game offers plenty to love.
I'm off to face my next encounter—hopefully without too many Tentacle tokens!
Check out the Pleasant Company Games website to get a copy of Ancient Terrible Things: Reawakened for yourself.
