Today we’re diving into “Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood.” This ambitious board game from Shadowborne Games takes players on a journey through a sprawling campaign full of dark fantasy, tactical combat, & meaningful story choices. So, let’s break it down – what it is, what’s good, what’s bad, & whether you should pick it up. Let’s get into it.
What It Is
Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood is a massive cooperative board game designed for 1-4 players that seamlessly blends narrative-driven storytelling with intense boss battles. Each chapter lasts two to three hours, & the game spans over 20 chapters, meaning you’re in for a long, epic adventure. The game is divided into two halves: the narrative exploration phase, where players make story decisions, & the tactical combat phase, which pits your heroes against fearsome bosses in epic battles.
The game’s production values are impressive, with large, detailed miniatures that represent both the heroes & the terrifying creatures they face. These miniatures aren’t just for show—they play an important role in the tactical combat, especially with interchangeable weapons that allow for some customization. However, the game offers a standee version as well, for those who prefer a more compact, less miniature-heavy experience.
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Gameplay Overview
Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood is an immersive campaign-style board game that expertly blends storytelling with tactical combat. Every chapter is split into two distinct phases: a narrative adventure that focuses on decision-making & exploration, followed by a thrilling boss battle that tests players’ tactical skills.
During the first half of each chapter, players embark on a choose-your-own-adventure-style journey. The story can be experienced through a companion app, which features professional voice acting to enhance immersion, or through physical books that guide players through a detailed map. As they navigate through the narrative, players make choices that shape the story, recruit allies, & acquire equipment, all of which help prepare them for the upcoming combat.
The second half shifts the focus to tactical combat, where players face off against fearsome bosses. Players control their chosen heroes, each equipped with unique abilities & playstyles, on a large board that features various terrain types. The game’s highly detailed miniatures bring the characters & bosses to life, adding a visual & physical presence to the epic battles.
A key aspect of Oathsworn’s combat system is its innovative “Battle Flow” mechanic. Each hero has a set of ability cards that must be played & cycled through slots on their player board. Managing this flow of cards is critical to executing your character’s abilities efficiently & responding to the changing dynamics of the battlefield.
Attacks in the game come with a push-your-luck element, adding tension to every combat decision. Players can choose between drawing cards or rolling dice to determine attack outcomes. However, there’s a risk: drawing two “miss” cards or rolling too many blanks can cause the attack to fail. This system forces players to balance risk & reward in every action they take.
The bosses in Oathsworn are far from standard enemies—they have multiple attack zones & often feature special mechanics that evolve as the battle progresses. Players must work together to target specific weak points, adapting their strategy as new threats emerge. This adds a layer of complexity & keeps the combat engaging from start to finish.
Between chapters, players have the chance to level up their characters, acquiring new ability cards & equipment to prepare for future battles. While the game is designed for four heroes, it offers flexibility with rules for solo play & smaller groups. Additional characters can be scaled down to ensure the party is balanced & ready for any challenge.
Oathsworn’s campaign structure ensures that choices made in earlier chapters can influence later events, adding a sense of continuity & consequence to the game. For groups that prefer combat over storytelling, the game allows for the narrative sections to be skipped or shortened. With the option to replay scenarios using different characters or decisions, players can explore alternative outcomes & strategies, enhancing the game’s replayability.
The Components
The game is loaded with large, beautifully crafted miniatures for both the heroes & the bosses. These chibi-like figures are the showpiece of the game, especially the massive bosses that dominate the battlefield. The miniatures have interchangeable weapons, but some players find the push-fit design frustrating, as they tend to come apart during play. This has led some players to glue the pieces together, sacrificing the customization but gaining stability.
If the miniatures seem too bulky, the game offers a standee version. This option gives you all the gameplay without the large plastic figures, which is great if you’re short on storage space or if you just prefer a more streamlined experience. The game also features a digital companion app, narrated by James Cosmo, which adds professional polish to the storytelling & enhances the overall immersion.
The Good
One of the game’s greatest strengths is its immersion. Oathsworn is more than just a game—it’s an experience. The deep narrative combined with the impactful choices you make along the way draws you into its dark fantasy world. The companion app with professional voice acting elevates this storytelling, making each chapter feel like an event. Players who enjoy rich stories will find a lot to love here, especially with how the narrative ties directly into the combat phases.
The combat system is equally strong. The Battle Flow mechanic adds depth & encourages smart planning, while the dice & card-based attack system keeps things tense & engaging. Each boss battle feels epic, & the asymmetry between characters promotes cooperation & teamwork. The tactical decisions you make during these fights have weight, making each encounter feel memorable & rewarding when you come out on top.
The Bad
While Oathsworn excels in many areas, it does come with its fair share of challenges. Replayability is a concern for some players. The linear campaign structure means that once you’ve gone through the story, playing through it again may feel repetitive, as many of the narrative beats & combat scenarios will be familiar. While the game does offer branching decisions & various character options, some players may crave more standalone encounters or alternative scenarios to keep things fresh.
Another downside is the learning curve. Oathsworn isn’t the easiest game to dive into. The Battle Flow system & individual character abilities take time to master, & players are encouraged to stick with a single character for several sessions. This depth is a double-edged sword—it rewards investment but can also feel overwhelming, especially for new players or those who want to switch characters frequently. Setup & teardown times can also be significant, which may deter players who don’t have a dedicated play space to leave the game out.
The Verdict
Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood is a game that truly rewards those willing to commit to its sprawling campaign. The combination of tactical combat & narrative storytelling is beautifully executed, offering a deep & engaging experience for fans of both mechanics. The Battle Flow system & asymmetrical characters add strategic depth, & the boss fights feel genuinely epic. If you enjoy games that mix immersive story with tense, thoughtful combat, Oathsworn delivers that in spades.
However, this game isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for a quick, casual experience, Oathsworn might feel like too much of a time commitment. The learning curve, setup time, & the potential for repetitiveness in its linear campaign might turn off players who prefer lighter or more standalone experiences. But for those who crave a rich, immersive world & don’t mind investing the time, Oathsworn offers a deeply rewarding adventure.
Final Thoughts
Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood is one of the best cooperative games I’ve ever played. From the first chapter, it completely took over our game nights, & I haven’t looked back since. If you’re into campaign-driven experiences, this one absolutely delivers on every front—story, combat, & overall immersion. It’s got that same level of narrative engagement you’d expect from something like Mansions of Madness or Folklore, but it adds its own twist that really sets it apart.
One thing I’ve got to call out is the combat system. It’s a perfect mix of strategy & luck, with enough player control to feel satisfying without losing the thrill of the unknown. I know some people like using the cards for combat to keep it more predictable, but for me, the dice are where it’s at. Rolling them just brings this fast, exciting energy to each encounter, even if it’s a bit more random. You’re constantly making choices—how many dice to roll, which flank of the monster to hit, when to push your luck—and it all comes together in a way that feels both tense & fun.
Speaking of tension, the encounters in this game are absolutely stellar. Each monster is completely unique, with its own set of challenges & strategies to overcome. The variety kept me hooked the entire time, & I appreciated that it wasn’t just about fighting harder & harder enemies. There’s a tactical layer to every battle, & you have to be smart about how you approach each one. Some bosses throw in new mechanics that totally change up how you need to play, which kept things fresh even after multiple sessions.
Now, I’ll admit, there are a few little nitpicks. The game can get a bit fiddly at times, especially when it comes to remembering some of the more specific rules. Every now & then we had to pause to figure out how something worked, & that did slow things down a bit. Also, as much as I love the campaign structure, it does limit replayability to some degree. Once you’ve gone through the story, you’re still going to be dealing with the same monsters in the same sequence if you play it again. I’d love to see some standalone scenarios or more modular content in the future.
That said, those issues are pretty minor in the grand scheme of things. The production quality here is top-notch. The miniatures are impressive, the app adds a lot to the experience with its voice acting, & even the storage solution is well thought out—which is a lifesaver for a game of this size. Plus, the developers have been super engaged with the community, listening to feedback & making sure the game runs as smoothly as possible. You don’t always see that kind of commitment from designers.
At the end of the day, Oathsworn is a game that’s hard not to love if you’re into cooperative adventures. The story-driven gameplay, combined with the smart combat system, creates a truly immersive experience that’s going to stick with you long after you’ve finished a session. Sure, there are a couple of rough edges, but they’re nothing compared to everything this game gets right. If you’re a fan of campaign games, this is a must-have, & it’s easily one of the highlights of my collection.
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