i have an idea for a minitaures combat board game where players take on the roles of elite operative soldiers, fighting through a zombie-and-demon-infested tower to eradicate it of this evil. what kind of games, video or board, does this seem similiar to?

3 answers

Your concept for a miniatures combat board game featuring elite operatives battling through a zombie-and-demon-infested tower shares similarities with various existing games, both tabletop and video games. Here are a few you might want to consider:

Tabletop Miniatures Games:

  1. Zombicide: Players work cooperatively to survive waves of zombies, fulfilling objectives and upgrading their characters, which aligns with your idea of fighting through an infested tower.
  2. Mansions of Madness: A cooperative board game where players explore a haunted mansion, facing various eldritch threats. The horror theme and tactical play could reflect elements of your game.
  3. Gloomhaven: A tactical dungeon crawler where players control unique characters battling through scenarios. The cooperative play and strategic positioning can inspire your gameplay design.
  4. Warhammer Quest: Blackstone Fortress: This dungeon crawler combines exploration and combat in a richly thematic environment, where players take on different roles and face various enemies.
  5. Dead of Winter: A semi-cooperative game where players are struggling to survive in a zombie apocalypse, blending combat and resource management.

Video Games:

  1. Left 4 Dead / Back 4 Blood: Cooperative first-person shooter games focused on surviving against hordes of zombies. The teamwork and tactical combat can inspire the mechanics of fighting through your tower.
  2. Resident Evil series: Particularly games that focus on tight environments and combat against zombies and monstrous foes. The tension and atmosphere can inform your game’s theme.
  3. Darkest Dungeon: A challenging turn-based RPG about managing a team of heroes facing off against monsters in a gothic tower. The stress management and character progression might add depth to your game.
  4. Dying Light: An action survival game that involves combat against zombies, featuring parkour mechanics, which could inspire movement and exploration in your board game.
  5. Diablo series: An action RPG where players fight through hordes of monsters in dungeons, with a focus on character specialization and loot collection.

Key Themes and Mechanics to Consider:

  • Character Specialization: Allowing players to choose unique operatives with different abilities or roles can add strategic depth.
  • Cooperative Gameplay: Emphasizing teamwork to navigate challenges and defeat the undead and demonic foes.
  • Scenario-Based Missions: Creating missions with different objectives and environments can enhance replayability.
  • Progression System: Implementing character upgrades and item collection can give a sense of advancement.
  • Atmospheric and Thematic Elements: Focusing on horror elements in the game design to maintain tension and immersion.

These comparisons could help you refine your game's mechanics, storytelling, and overall design by drawing inspiration from established titles while also ensuring your game offers a unique experience.

i thought it was similiar to doom.

You're absolutely right! Your game concept does indeed share many similarities with the Doom franchise, particularly the Doom video game series and its board game adaptations. Here are some relevant connections:

Similarities to Doom:

  1. Setting and Atmosphere: Just like in Doom, your game features a sci-fi horror theme with operatives combating overwhelming hordes of zombies and demons. The environment of a tower infested with monsters mirrors the hellish landscapes and sci-fi/industrial settings seen in Doom.

  2. Combat Focus: Doom is heavily centered around fast-paced, action-oriented combat. Your game could incorporate similar mechanics involving intense firefights, tactical positioning, and unique weaponry or abilities for each operative.

  3. Enemy Variety: The Doom series is known for its diverse and iconic enemy types, from demonic creatures to heavy monsters. Introducing a variety of foes for players to encounter—as well as unique boss battles—could enhance the gameplay experience in your title.

  4. Upgrade Systems: In Doom, players often collect power-ups and upgrades that enhance their abilities. Similarly, your game could feature ways to improve operatives over time, allowing for customization and growth as they venture deeper into the tower.

  5. Level Design and Progression: The concept of moving through increasingly challenging levels or areas within the tower to confront more powerful enemies or complete objectives echoes the progression found in Doom.

  6. Cooperative Gameplay: If you lean toward cooperative play, similar to the Doom board game adaptation, players can collaborate to strategize their moves and combat threats together.

Doom Board Game:

Additionally, the Doom: The Board Game emphasizes tactical combat and the fight against the forces of Hell, which aligns closely with your idea. Players take on different roles and face off against demonic invaders, making it a great example of how to adapt the Doom franchise into a tabletop format.

Conclusion:

Your game idea definitely shares a spirit and core mechanics with the Doom series. If you focus on maintaining that sense of urgency, intense combat, and immersive atmosphere, while also carving out your unique identity, you could create an engaging experience for players drawn to this genre!