Return To Dark Tower is the "sequel" to the well-loved 1981 Fantasy board game that had a very successful Kickstarter campaign. Restoration Games are now looking to release the game at retail with the first regions lucky enough to get it being the US and Canada.

Return To Dark Tower // Restoration Games

Return To Dark Tower is a cooperative game of adventure where you're playing as mighty heroes seeking to defeat terrible monsters and vanquish the denizen of the eponymous Dark Tower. One-to-four players will build up resources and companions, complete quests, delve into dungeons, cleanse locations and use all of their skills to defeat the "boss" when it steps forth from the Dark Tower itself.

Return To Dark Tower Gameplay // Restoration Games

You'll find neat game mechanics like engine building, resource management and more alongside the more electronic elements of Return To Dark Tower. In the centre of the table is the massive Dark Tower itself which governs the twisting fates of your heroes. There is also a companion app which is needed to play the game, tell the story and deal with all of the work behind the scenes.

If you'd like to learn how to play the game, check out the Watch It Played video below...

Return To Dark Tower // How To Play

The core game is now available for the US and Canada and I have my fingers crossed that we'll get EU and UK options in the near future. I didn't back the game during the Kickstarter but I am now very eager to at least give the game a go!

Return To Dark Expansions

As well as the core game, you can also buy a couple of the expansions for Return To Dark Tower. The first of these is the Dark Horde expansion.

Dark Horde Expansion // Return To Dark Tower

This set features sixty-nine board game figures which can be used to replace the tokens from the base game. You can also replace the four quest markers from the base game and those offered up as part of the Alliances expansion.

Dark Horde Expansion Miniatures // Return To Dark Tower

The figures in the box have been given an ink wash to make them pop and range in size from a more traditionally sized "miniature" through to the towering 85mm-tall Titan. This will no doubt be awesome for those who love their plastic but I reckon I'm good with cardboard for now.

The next of the expansions is Alliances which offers up more hero options for Return To Dark Tower.

Alliances Expansion // Return To Dark Tower

Inside this set, you'll find the Archwright and the Haunted Recluse heroes that can be used to spice up your games. There is also a new resource known as Influence which can be used to form alliances with the powerful guilds of this Fantasy universe. There are also new treasures, allies and abilities for more experienced Return To Dark Tower players.

Archwright // Return To Dark Tower

Haunted Recluse // Return To Dark Tower

I've watched a fair few gameplay videos for Return To Dark Tower now and whilst it's certainly on the more pricey end of the scale when it comes to board games ($190), I could see if finding a place in someone's collection if they don't have a big, extravagant game like this already.

Mechanically, the game is sound and Restoration has done a good job of making the experience feel distinctly different from other adventure-style board games out there. It's certainly what I'd expect from a team that includes the likes of Isaac Childres and Rob Daviau alongside Tim Burrell-Saward, Noah Cohen, Justin D. Jacobson and Brian Neff.

Did you back the Kickstarter? Are you going to be buying this at retail?