Today we’re diving into Clank!: Catacombs. This is a fresh standalone entry in the popular Clank! series, bringing us a whole new take on the dungeon-crawling deck-builder that fans have come to love. So, let’s break it down – what it is, what’s good, what’s bad, & if you should pick it up. Let’s get into it.
What It Is
Clank!: Catacombs is a standalone game in the Clank! universe that combines deck-building mechanics with a dungeon-crawling adventure. As in previous Clank! games, you play as an adventurer exploring a dangerous dungeon, grabbing valuable artifacts while trying to keep quiet enough to avoid a dragon’s wrath. However, unlike its predecessors, Catacombs introduces a modular board that makes each game unique & unpredictable, turning every dungeon delve into a brand-new experience.
The game’s core mechanics remain similar, but new elements like lock picks, prisoners, & a tile-based dungeon layout add exciting layers of strategy & exploration. These changes bring a fresh sense of discovery to each playthrough, making it appealing for both newcomers & longtime fans of the series.
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Gameplay Overview
Clank!: Catacombs is a standalone adventure game inspired by the original Clank! game released in 2016, featuring twists that elevate its dungeon-exploring thrills. Players take on the roles of daring thieves infiltrating a skeletal dragon’s lair, racing to collect valuable artifacts while evading deadly dangers. Every turn is a balance between risk & reward, as players must decide how deep to delve into the dungeon, mindful of the dragon that grows angrier with every clanking misstep.
Setting up the game begins with laying out the Clank! board, positioning the Dragon marker on the rage track according to the player count, & shuffling the tiles, including depth-specific blue-backed tiles. For a two-player setup, players randomly discard two tiles unseen to add variability in dungeon layout. Gold, lockpick tokens, & other treasure pieces like major & minor secrets are shuffled face-down, with artifact tokens stacked in value order to ensure the highest rewards lie deeper within the dungeon.
A dragon bag filled with black dragon cubes & white ghost cubes adds an element of suspense as players risk drawing from it during dragon attacks. On the market board, items such as backpacks, blood amulets, burglar kits, & crowns are arranged for easy access, while any shortages in tokens can be substituted with suitable alternatives. The dungeon itself begins with a starting tile showing the paths & rooms, including the Monkey Shrine where three monkey idols await, while mastery tiles are placed in the crypt to await skilled adventurers.
The card setup requires a bit of organization as well. Reserve cards are sorted by their yellow banners into piles of mercenaries, explorers, & secret TOS, while a single Goblin card is set aside as a persistent monster. Gray-bannered cards are separated, & the remaining dungeon deck is shuffled & dealt into a row beside the dungeon board. Any initial dragon attacks are redrawn until the starting row is dragon-free, setting the stage for exploration without immediate danger.
Players each begin with a pawn in their chosen color, 30 Clank cubes, three lockpick tokens, & a personal deck of starting cards, which includes a mix of burgles, stumbles, a sidestep, & a scramble card. These starting resources provide the skills & movement necessary to start navigating the dungeon, collecting treasure, & avoiding hazards while building out strategies to maximize artifact gains.
Gameplay unfolds with each player taking turns to play all the cards in their hand, using skill, swords, & boots generated by the cards to take actions. Skill points allow players to buy new cards from the Reserve or dungeon row to enhance their decks, swords can defeat monsters for rewards, & boots enable movement through the dungeon. While skill points are used to acquire cards that go into the player’s discard pile, any cards with “acquire” effects activate immediately, adding an extra layer of decision-making.
Movement through the dungeon can be costly; tunnels often have hazards that deal damage unless players spend sword symbols to avoid them. Additionally, lockpick tokens are essential for crossing certain tunnels, as they allow access to treasure & shortcuts throughout the dungeon. Strategic movement helps players explore efficiently, avoid unnecessary damage, & position themselves advantageously against competitors.
With the added ability to teleport using specific cards or portal symbols, players can bypass obstacles like monsters or locked tunnels, making every turn a mix of tactical planning & resource management. Rooms within the dungeon contain unique features like locked chests & secret caches, offering both challenges & rewards that encourage players to venture deeper despite the increasing risk of dragon attacks.
Ultimately, Clank!: Catacombs demands a balance of calculated risk & careful strategy. Players must manage resources, mitigate dangers, & plan their escape after gathering treasures, all while the dragon lurks, ready to strike. This game captures the thrill of dungeon-crawling with fresh twists on the classic Clank! mechanics, promising both tense competition & strategic depth that can captivate both new players & longtime fans of the series.
The Components
The component quality in Clank!: Catacombs is top-notch. The dungeon tiles are detailed & well-made, creating a visually interesting & engaging board each time you play. The cards are clear & illustrated beautifully, while the tokens & markers add to the immersion. The lock pick tokens, though small, are functional but can feel a bit fiddly. Overall, the production quality is impressive, adding to the game’s allure.
Catacombs also includes reference sheets, which make it easy to keep track of the various game elements, reducing the need to constantly consult the rulebook. This addition is helpful, especially given the new mechanics, & allows players to jump into the action quickly.
The Good
The modular board is an absolute game-changer in Catacombs, providing a unique layout for every session & amplifying the sense of discovery & adventure. Unlike the static maps in previous Clank! games, the randomly assembled dungeon tiles mean no two games feel alike. This change enhances replayability & injects a level of excitement & unpredictability that makes each game feel fresh. The combination of tile exploration, one-way passages, & portals for faster movement creates a tactical layer that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
Another highlight is the new lock pick & prisoner mechanics, which add rewarding layers of decision-making. Lock picks allow players to make key strategic choices about which paths to open or which prisoners to free, & each freed prisoner offers a unique bonus or scoring opportunity. These additions not only make the game more complex but also give players a chance to adopt different strategies based on the layout & the bonuses they accumulate. The new mechanics integrate seamlessly into the game’s core, making for a more rewarding dungeon crawl.
The Bad
While the modular board & added mechanics are fantastic for experienced players, they do add a bit more complexity compared to the original Clank!. New players might find the extra layers of strategy a little overwhelming at first, especially if they’re unfamiliar with deck-builders or tile-based dungeon games. The added challenge of managing lock picks, strategizing around prisoner rescues, & navigating an unpredictable board may take some getting used to for beginners, though the learning curve is manageable with a few rounds under your belt.
Another minor drawback is the potential fiddliness of the lock pick tokens. They’re small & can be easy to misplace during a chaotic dungeon delve. While this is hardly a deal-breaker, it’s something that could be improved in future expansions or printings. Despite this, the overall component quality remains high, & this minor inconvenience doesn’t detract significantly from the gameplay experience.
The Verdict
Clank!: Catacombs is a fantastic evolution of the Clank! formula, providing all the dungeon-crawling, deck-building thrills fans love while adding new twists that keep things exciting. The modular board, in particular, is a standout feature, adding endless replayability & a sense of discovery that gives the game a unique charm. Every session feels like a new adventure, making it a great option for players who enjoy the idea of getting lost in an ever-changing dungeon. Whether you’re a Clank! veteran or a newcomer, Catacombs’ depth, excitement, & unpredictability are sure to keep you coming back for more.
The lock pick & prisoner mechanics are equally commendable, offering meaningful decisions that can impact the outcome of each game. These additions provide opportunities for strategic planning & offer new ways to score & enhance your character’s abilities. For those who enjoy games that reward risk-taking & strategic thought, Catacombs is an absolute must-try.
Final Thoughts
After spending some time in the depths of Clank!: Catacombs, I have to say it’s probably the most refreshing take on Clank! I’ve played in a while. The big change here is the modular board, which really shakes things up by making each game feel like a fresh adventure. Instead of memorizing a fixed layout, you’re actually exploring, discovering new paths & hazards with every tile you flip. It keeps you guessing, & for me, that unpredictability added a lot of excitement. I was constantly wondering what would pop up next—whether it’d be a safe corridor or a room packed with loot but tricky to escape from.
One of the standout additions is the lock pick system. At first, I wasn’t sure how it would impact the gameplay, but it’s surprisingly effective at adding new layers to your decision-making. Lock picks let you open certain passages, free prisoners, or snag valuable treasures, but you only have a limited number, so every use feels significant. There were several moments where I had to pause & really think about whether I wanted to use a lock pick on a shortcut or save it for a potentially bigger reward later. It’s a simple addition, but it makes you feel a bit more invested in every move.
I also enjoyed the variety of room types. You’ve got crystal caverns that force you to stop in your tracks, one-way passages that make you commit to a path, & even portals that let you jump around the board. These all make navigation feel more strategic, especially when you’re trying to balance getting deeper into the dungeon with making it out in one piece. Each new tile brings its own twist, which kept things interesting & meant I couldn’t just rely on the same old strategies.
Another thing I appreciated was that it still keeps the classic Clank! tension. The core mechanic of adding “Clank” cubes & dreading the dragon’s attack is very much alive, which adds that fun risk-reward element that I love about the series. Every noise you make ups the danger, & it’s a constant reminder that pushing your luck could backfire. I’ve always liked that part of Clank!, & it feels just as engaging here.
For anyone who’s invested in the Clank! series, the compatibility with past expansions is a nice touch. Knowing I could bring in some cards from my other sets made me feel like the designers really thought about the long-time fans. It’s an easy way to expand the game even further & mix things up, especially if you’ve already built up a collection.
All in all, Clank!: Catacombs strikes a great balance between familiar mechanics & fresh, new elements. The modular board & added depth from things like lock picks make it feel like a true evolution of the series without straying too far from what made Clank! fun in the first place. If you’re looking for something that keeps the best parts of Clank! but adds a bit more exploration & decision-making, this one’s definitely worth checking out. I can easily see myself coming back to it when I’m in the mood for a more unpredictable dungeon crawl.
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