A Cult Classic in the Making: Robin of Locksley the Board Game

Unveil the real story of Robin Hood in the strategic, dueling board game Robin of Locksley. Stealing from the rich and giving to the poor is a well-known story, but medieval England's troubled times make for a profound and captivating tale. Meet Robert Loxley, a renowned archer who fought alongside King Richard the Lionheart during the Crusades. When the king is captured, Robert is mortally wounded. However, before he takes his final breath, he entrusts a vital mission to his legal heirs, the Robin siblings. John, Richard's corrupt brother, seizes the throne, and the Loxleys are outlawed as bandits by the Sheriff of Nottingham.

And so begins Robin of Locksley's daring and heroic journey to steal from the rich and collect the ransom to free King Richard and save England from John and the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham. In a quest for justice and glory, assume the role of Robin of Locksley and experience Robin Hood's legend like never before.

Robin of Loxley is designed for two players and takes only 30-45 minutes, making it an excellent choice for a quick match. It is suitable for ages 10 and up.

Gameplay

Get ready for an exciting gameplay session with Robin of Loxley! The game board is set up with a five-by-five grid of loot tiles in the center, surrounded by Race Track of Fame Tiles that provide the players with requirements for progress. The players' bards are placed at opposite corners of the loot grid, and the game's goal is to complete two laps around the Race Track.

Players form an "L" of three tiles to move their Robin pieces around the board, as a knight moves in chess, collecting loot tiles along the way. Empty slots without a bard are refilled with new loot. Players can sell sets of loot tiles of the same color, with a minimum of three tiles, to earn gold. Gold can help their Bard meeple move around the Race Track by skipping challenging Fame Tile objectives. Skipping Fame tiles boost players toward the finish line. Each player will try to stay ahead of their opponent to complete the race.

As players move along the Race Track, they will encounter challenges presented by Fame Tiles. These challenges can be overcome by paying gold to bribe their way past the obstacle. The player who completes two laps around the Race Track first will be declared the winner.

Review

Robin of Loxley is a combination of race and set collection mechanics, as well as modular board and track movement. The Race Track is the core element of Robin of Loxley; the first player to complete all Fame Tile sub-goals twice wins the game, and no sub-goals are ever the same. The game also offers a set collection mechanism, where exchanging loot for gold comes into play. Finally, the board's L-shaped movement pattern (derived from chess) is also intriguing and requires careful planning.

The game has two layers of strategy: the modular board grid of loot titles and the Race Track. Both layers add to the game's variety. The map updates dynamically, and the Race Track introduces changing objectives during gameplay. The game's designed uncertainty is spot on, enabling map and Race Track modularity and adding depth to gameplay without making the game frustrating due to randomness.

The game's replayability is high as the modular dynamic board and Race Track ensure that each match is unique. Players have strong reasons to play the game multiple times. Robin of Loxley falls into the category of "no two matches are the same," pushing players to embrace different strategies as the game progresses.

Robin of Loxley has all the ingredients for a delightful filler and gateway game. This game is easy to learn, fast-paced, and offers a great mix of strategy and luck. The mechanics are well-balanced, making it an excellent choice for beginners and experienced gamers. It's easy to set up and tear down and has low complexity, making it a perfect choice for a quick game. 

The artwork is beautiful, and the components are well-crafted, adding to the overall fictional involvement of the game.

Final Thoughts

As a result of its innovative gameplay experience and well-balanced gameplay, Robin of Loxley seamlessly integrates elements from various game genres. This game frequently appears on my tabletop when I am seeking a quick game that is both challenging and enjoyable. Due to its combination of a traditional game with a modern twist, I anticipate this game will become a new cult classic. The game became part of my board game collection, as it deserved. I also highly recommend you include Robin of Loxley in your game collection as well.

Pros: Strategic depth combined with low complexity — players are challenged to plan and make wise decisions, creating a deep and engaging strategic experience.

Cons: Only supports two players.

Disclosure: we received a complimentary review copy of this game.

Note: This article is provided by Roll & Mind.