There is an undeniable thrill that accompanies the release of a new iteration of a beloved game. Whether it manifests as a sequel, an expansion, or a digital adaptation of a cherished tabletop experience, the anticipation is often tinged with a hint of anxiety. What if the new version fails to capture the essence of the original? What if it disappoints both seasoned fans and newcomers alike? Fortunately, any concerns regarding Set a Watch, the tabletop creation by Todd Walsh, quickly evaporated after experiencing its demo during the Steam Next Fest. The digital adaptation successfully encapsulates the spirit of the board game while presenting a tactical challenge that both honors its roots and invites new players to join the adventure.
Gameplay Mechanics and Experience
At its core, Set a Watch can be likened to a Dungeons & Dragons experience. Players assume the roles of victorious heroes returning home after a grand campaign, only to find themselves besieged by monsters and magical creatures each night around the campfire. The objective is clear: defend your camp, or risk losing the chance for a peaceful retirement.
The game unfolds as a dungeon crawler, where players roll three dice for each hero they deploy into battle. One hero remains at camp to tend the fire, while the others engage in combat against waves of foes. Monsters are drawn from a deck of cards, which players can manipulate, and the dice can be allocated for attacks or to activate powerful abilities that are typically usable once per round.
Each combat encounter presents a multifaceted puzzle, as adversaries possess their own unique abilities. From stealing resources to repositioning themselves, players must navigate these challenges with precision to emerge victorious.
The digital version of Set a Watch impressively captures the mechanics and feel of its tabletop predecessor. However, there is a caveat. While the game holds great promise, the demo itself may not fully showcase its potential. Allow me to elaborate.
The aforementioned random encounter deck, from which monsters are drawn, lacks the element of randomness in the demo. This fixed deck is designed to provide players with a taste of the game’s offerings, including a boss-like encounter known as the Unhallowed. While this structure works well for an initial playthrough, subsequent attempts to experiment with different characters or abilities lead to facing the same sequence of monsters in the same order. This predictability can be somewhat disappointing, as the spontaneous nature of the game is a key aspect of its identity. A more varied experience could have better illustrated the replayability that awaits in the full version.
Nevertheless, this limitation does not detract from the enjoyment of a first playthrough. For fans of Dungeons & Dragons, card-based dungeon crawlers, or simply those who revel in rolling dice, Set a Watch is certainly worth exploring.
Set a Watch Digital Edition is set to launch on Steam on Thursday, November 27. In the meantime, the demo is available for play as part of Steam Next Fest until Monday, October 20. Download it here.
If you’ve completed the demo and are eager for more combat, consider diving into some of the best fantasy games available. Additionally, our curated list of the finest turn-based strategy games offers further tactical experiences to enjoy.
For more recommendations and engaging discussions, feel free to join our community Discord server, where staff and readers collaborate to experience every Steam Next Fest demo before the week concludes.
