The Sunday Miscellanea - Dungeon Run (2011)

Although I had heard of Dungeon Run (2011) before, and seen it online, I hadn't looked into it very closely and, thus, didn't know the game beyond it's name.  On Sunday at the Gaming Hoopla I got to try it out with my game designer friend Nancy.  With just a quick explanation, since this game will come naturally to RPGer, and with most of the needed information right on the cards (take some time to learn combat), we were off to the races.

The description from Board Game Geek is as follows:

A tale of teamwork and betrayal!

The mole ogre howled out as it collapsed into a bloody pile of rent flesh and broken bone. The aging knight bent over, panting heavily, and gave his dwarven peer an approving nod. It had taken great effort between them both to slay the beast, and they had each taken their share of wounds. But in the end their cooperation had paid off and they both knew it. And then their eyes found the treasure chest sitting in the corner of the room.

They looked at each other. They looked back at the treasure... and then the real fight began.

The game where YOU are the final boss!

Dungeon Run is an exciting dash through a dungeon packed with monsters and traps. Each player controls a unique hero capable of great feats, and whose powers and abilities are upgradable and customizable throughout the game. Players can work together to overcome the perils of the dungeon, or they can betray and sabotage each other as they see fit. Because in the final room of the dungeon lurks a powerful boss with the ultimate treasure - a treasure that turns its owner into the most powerful warrior they can become! Slay the boss, steal the treasure, and then run for your life as your friends try to cut you down. In Dungeon Run only one hero can escape with the fabled Summoning Stone. Don't crawl - run!

Dungeon Run features a randomly assembled dungeon that changes each time you play, as do the monsters you face and the treasures you find. Eight different heroes each with unique options for customization further add to a wealth of game play options. Choose the vicious Tundra Orc and bash your way through everything that stands in your path. Play as the cunning Grounder Wizard and use your magic to cheat the laws of nature. Select the Guild Dwarf adventurer and lay traps to ensnare your friends. There are many paths to victory in Dungeon Run. Win by working with your friends or against them - just win!

The components are good looking and the game is fairly straightforward.  It's definitely a game that looks like it would have been ready for expansions though not much of that has happened in the four years since publication.  It's a fast, fun little game that you should not play with overly-sensitive RPGers who treasure their character more than game play.  Boardgamers who don't mind games where you screw your neighbor will have no problem with this game at all.  It's all very backstabby and timing is crucial.  But right up until the final moment of betrayal, you will definitely need the help of any other players who can be convinced to assist.  It's an interesting dilemma.

The Sunday Miscellanea on MFWARS.com 

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