Talisman is a game I worked hard pulling grass to buy as a young boy. This new release has all the fun I remember....but the game pieces themselves are made smaller and thus my older eyes work to read the cards. That's the only negative thing I have to say however. My sons and I have been known in recent history to play this game for hours on end, if you like fantasy role play this game rocks.

aside from the larger board, smaller cards and less charming art, this is essentially the EXACT same game as the popular second edition version of the game, the one typically sometimes referred to as "classic talisman" - the version available from the late 80's and early 90's.

pretty much the only reason to buy this version would be an inability to get your hands on an older copy of the 2nd edition talisman set or a desire to replace a lost/damaged copy of that game.

i was hoping for some new spaces on the board, new characters to play, new adventure card challenges to draw from and, basically, something different than what is, frankly, an uglier version of the game i already own. so it was a disappointment and a mistake i can't reccomend anyone else make.

What you need to know...

If you're new to Talisman:
This is a high quality fantasy-themed board game suitable for older children to adults. The game is for 2-6 players and length can be anywhere from an hour to several hours. As board games go, this is a very complex one, but it is much simpler and easier to learn than a hard-core role playing game. There is some strategy involved, but also a lot of chance. I think it is best suited for people that really like sci-fi/fantasy, but not to the level that they want to dress up and role-play.

If you've played Talisman before:
This is like a deluxe version of 2nd edition talisman. The playing pieces, dice and cards are all upgraded in quality, and the new artwork is outstanding. Game play is almost identical, with some minor changes. (I am glad they returned to the style of the 2nd edition, as the third edition was a big departure and somewhat dissapointing). The directions are also improved, with a very useful flow chart for encounters, and an e-mail address you can send questions about game rules to.

At the time I am writing this review there are no expansion sets for this edition yet. From what I understand, they plan to release expansion sets eventually, but in reality it probably depends on how well the game does.

Are you a gamer who wants to play a fantasy game but doesn't want to commit to months of gameplay and have dozens of books to look up how to fight. Then Talisman is for you.

You take the role of one of 16 very different characters (all of whom can play at once) and begin your quest for the Crown of Comman a magical device that will allow you to rule over all.

But beware not only do you have to compete with your rivals but a biwidering array of monstors and creatures are out to help and hurt you, and these visitors will treat you differently depending on who you are.

Even if you get to the 2nd realm you will need craft, strength or luck to get through the portal, and if you get to that inner realm you still need a talisman to get to the crown.

Once the crown is in your hands it is a race to remove your rivals as they will all be trying to get to you.

The rules and gameplay are practically identical to the 1st edition but the graphics are first rate, the cards are easier to read and it is just as much fun as when we had cheaper components. It also is a good choice when you have too many people for anything else (such as last night) and the game play is simple enough that from age of 10 to 100 you can play with ease.

The only thing it lacks are the city and dungon expansions that were available for the old ones, with luck they will soon follow.

Buy it.

I played this game back in the late '80s and early '90s, and thoroughly enjoyed it then. I've been playing online role-playing games since then but felt nostalgic for the type of social interaction you can only get when a group of friends or family is playing at the kitchen table, so I unpacked it from storage a few weeks ago and introduced my spouse and friends to it. It is a LOT of fun.

It is a good game for intelligent, creative adults or older children. I would imagine a precocious 10 year old might really enjoy it, but if you've got younger kids, this game may not be suitable. It is basically a combo D&D and Monopoly-type board game and is great for playing with friends who are not dedicated D&D types but who want something more complex than traditional board games. It can be quite addictive - the first time one couple played with us, after we finished, they immediately wanted to set up the next game night!

While it is complex enough that it may take starting players a little while to feel thoroughly comfortable with the rules and game-play, once they get the mechanics down, it's very easy. There are enough different elements to game-play that various types of gamers can find something they relate to. Right-brained creative types will enjoy the role-playing aspects and exploiting the ambiguities in the rules. Left-brained strategy types will enjoy bringing their analytical abilities into play.

The way I have played this game in the past and the way I would advise playing it - let each player randomly pick 3 cards and choose the initial character from those 3. That way every time you play, people have to play different characters instead of getting too comfortable only playing their favorite. This also makes the game more educational as it forces players to figure out how different strategies work.

The basic game is quite satisfying and when played with 4 players usually lasts about 3-4 hours. For a shorter game, players can agree to rule modifications. The expansion sets are great for players who want a longer, more complex game or for those who have been playing the basic game for a while and want to spice it up. I've got the City, Dungeon and Timescape expansions.