My entire introduction to the Gloomhaven series has been Jaws of the Lion over the past couple of months and what an engaging and fun crawl! First, a little about the game…
Jaws of the Lion is an engaging and streamlined entry into the Gloomhaven universe that makes the expansive world of dungeon crawling more accessible to both new and seasoned players. Unlike the original Gloomhaven, which is known for its sprawling box of components and complex setup, Jaws of the Lion simplifies the experience by incorporating a book of maps instead of separate tiles, which significantly reduces setup time and table space. The game still retains the deep, strategic gameplay that Gloomhaven fans love, with a well-balanced mix of combat, character progression, and tactical decision-making.
The narrative-driven campaign is one of Jaws of the Lion’s standout features, offering a more personal and focused story compared to its predecessor. Players take on the roles of four new mercenaries, each with unique abilities and playstyles, as they uncover a mystery within the city of Gloomhaven. The story is engaging and well-paced, with each scenario building upon the last, creating a sense of continuity and immersion that keeps players invested in the outcome.
Another significant strength of Jaws of the Lion is its approachability. The game introduces mechanics gradually over the first few scenarios, which serves as a tutorial to help players ease into the complexity. This thoughtful design choice makes it a fantastic entry point for those who found the original Gloomhaven intimidating but still want to experience its rich, tactical gameplay. Overall, Jaws of the Lion is a masterfully designed board game that captures the essence of Gloomhaven while making it more accessible, ensuring it’s a great addition to any board game collection.
My favorite aspect of Jaws of the Lion is it provides natural starting and stopping points for those that aren’t able to play a long campaign in one sitting. This can easily be played quest by quest in one-to-two-hour sittings. Without question, if you are interested in exploring the world of Gloomhaven or even just curious about the mechanics of dungeon crawlers, this is a perfect starting point. Best of all, it is enjoyable for novice to expert level players.
