Introduction
I was obsessed with Buffy growing up. Back then, living somewhere with 11 hours of sunlight year-round, I never understood why it got dark so fast in Sunnydale. Now? Let’s just say upstate New York winters have taught me a thing or two about early sunsets. 🌆
In Unmatched: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 1-4 players can dive right into Sunnydale’s shadowy streets as iconic characters like Buffy, Spike, Willow, and Angel. This tactical skirmish game combines wit, strategy, and a bit of supernatural smackdown as you face off against each other with a board, a deck of cards, a hero and a sidekick.
Not familiar with Unmatched? It’s a series of games where you play as legendary characters—from Robin Hood and Deadpool to Raptors and Sherlock Holmes! Every character has their own unique deck and abilities, and here’s the best part: all the sets are compatible. So, if you want Buffy to take on Bruce Lee or the Raptors in a crossover showdown, you totally can 🦖🧙♀️
For any Buffy fan (or really, any skirmish game fan), this set brings the Buffyverse to life. 🧛♀️ Whether you’re new to Unmatched or just excited for a new twist, this one’s ready to bring some Buffy magic to your game nights! And now that Halloween has passed, I may as well start watching Buffy in Hulu
Components
The Unmatched box is a sturdy, beautiful piece that keeps the game components secure and ready for play. The insert is well-designed. I was very surprised when I unboxed the game. Everything has a place, so the game is ready to be shaken, stored vertically or horizontally
Rulebook: Clear, concise, and easy to navigate. This is the kind of rulebook that helps you get right into the game
Miniatures: detailed figures with add visual flair to the board and bring the characters to life. If I ever get into painting, I am starting with these ones!
Battlefield Boards: Double-sided with vibrant art and clear zones for easy gameplay. The battlefield is divided into spaces and zones, affecting movement and ranged attacks
Character Cards: One per hero that explains default move, who the side kicks are, starting health, and attack power
Action Cards: 35 cards for Buffy and 30 for Angel, Willow, and Spike. Each of these have unique moves for each fighter
Sidekick Tokens: Compact and well-designed, adding depth to the game without cluttering the board.
Health Dials: Track the health of heroes and sidekicks
Gameplay
Unmatched: Buffy the Vampire Slayer offers fast-paced skirmish action. Each turn, players take two actions: move, attack, or draw cards
Key phases:
Move: Get in range for an attack or retreat into the shadows for some defense
Attack: This is where the fun starts—draw from your deck and launch an attack at your opponent
Defend: Each defense card you play could counter your opponent’s attack or soften the blow, but you’ll need to manage your hand carefully, or you might find yourself unprotected.
Special abilities, combos, and terrain effects all come into play, so every move counts. Whether you're playing a 2-player game or a partnered duel (semi-co-op) 2v2 set up, it's easy to get sucked into the Buffyverse and feel the tension rise with each round.
The player that reduces their opponent's character and sidekick health to zero wins.
Pros 👍
Immersive Theme: Unmatched nails the Buffy experience! The abilities, the locations, the art—it all feels authentic to the show. I mean, who doesn’t love the idea of smacking Spike across the face with a wooden stake while listening to Alanis Morissette?
Character Asymmetry: Each fighter has a play style. Buffy’s all about quick attacks and teamwork, Willow grows in power as the game progresses, and Spike… well, let’s just say his deck is as tricky and sharp as his personality 🧛♂️.
Awesome components
Quick Turns and quick to learn game
Can be played with other Unmatched sets
Cons 👎
The game is confrontational which may not be everyone's cup of tea
What you draw may dictate what you can and cannot do
If you are not a Buffy fan, the theme may not be exciting
Can feel repetitive after a few plays
Not language independent
Conclusion
Unmatched: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an asymmetric combat game that is well balanced. You can play the game with different Unmatched characters. The game is nostalgic and can be really fun if you were a Buffy fan. Happy slaying!
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