Iron Fist: Board Game Preview

I enjoy good rounds in fighting games every now and then, and Bandai Namco's Tekken is my favorite 3D fighter. Very convenient, I'm also a fan of board games, so when my two passions are mixed with each other, e.g. Criminal Gear Effort or Street Fighter V Board games, I make sure to check them. Now, thanks to successful crowdfunding campaigns Game structureIt's time for the King of Iron Fist to enter the Cardboard Ring with Iron Fist: Board Game.

The game is made by Go Go, The Wizard: The Old World and Cyberpunk 2077-Chessboard Game etc. I had the opportunity to do some tours using the prototype of The Board Game, which the developer generously sent to me, and I have to say it probably pinned the feeling of “reading opponents” in a combat video game better than any other board game I've ever played.

In the iron fist, Two players (The final version will include Solo mode and up to eight optional tournament expansions) get draft picks from their favorite fighters and eliminate them until a player's life disappears. Characters I have to try, which will be included in the basic game, including Jin, Kazuya, Paul, King, Nina, Asuka, Yoshimitsu and Jack-8, each with detailed mini-games with characters and beautiful color accents.

Playing the Iron Fist match is a bit like a rock paper game, and it's quickly acceptable and learn. The game is Shortalso takes 10 to 15 minutes. Attacks are determined by the cards you play in front of you, which not only shows the area they target, whether high, medium or low, but also shows the effects and damage caused by the attack, which will be shown by the icon.

At any given time, there is only one person in the offense, laying the cards and attempting to eliminate the damage. On board IGN tells IGN that the idea behind the system stems from keeping the Iron Fist feels fast and dynamic. “To really capture the dynamic feeling of a video game, we need a mechanic that makes the battle fast and full of tension. Your opponent and predict their actions.

For the defending players, your only goal is to read the opponent and try to guess which area the attacker's card will be positioned, as indicated by the card played in front of them. Correct guessing will prevent attacks in their tracks, and the defender becomes the attacker, their first attack cannot be stopped. However, guessing that the wrong one will not only let the attack pass and connect, but the player playing the card continues to attack and is able to play another card, expands the combination and may queue up with the next line based on how the character's specific combo or lane on the card.

Only three attacks can occur except for one hot move per game that each player can take, which can play an extra attack or allow the player to continue the attack after the defender’s correct guess.

This element of trying to read the opponent to guess what they are going to do next is Battle video game. It condenses a third of the chance in this way, and can guess it works well correctly. The action that an attack can trigger is also simple: you can cause damage, move characters, push opponents, or sweep opponents, causing them to fall, leaving you with extra damage. Your character’s special anger attack is even more complicated, but my friend and I never felt overwhelmed.

Iron Fist also uses a mechanism that makes you feel like you're playing, well, Iron Fist. Pushing an opponent into the wall will cause the wall to rebound and cause damage. You can walk through stage walls or floors into other areas and emit additional damage on the ground. Even the little stage you fight feels very much like an iron fist, giving you enough space to move, but not so much that it puts your opponent in trouble.

“Iron Fist is never playing and throwing fireballs at each other. Instead, get close and let go of the devastating punch combo, I think joining the ship has captured that spirit perfectly. “Every fighter in Iron Fist: The board game is truly unique thanks to the combination of design elements. Each character has a unique deck composition, combo structure and fury ability that reflects the iconic play style in video games. Some characters also have unique components or mechanics that can make them more separate.”

When the game is released, fighters will have multiple ways to check out the Iron Fist and prove themselves. The core box contains eight fighters (Jin, Kazuya, King, Paul, Jack-8, Yoshimitsu, Asuka and Nina) and four stages (Sanctum, Urban Square, Perscent to Subsiscience of Subsiscience, and enters the stratosphere). Or, if you just want to taste it, there will also be a starter set featuring Jin and Kazuya, which the descendants can use.

But any Iron Fist fan knows that one of the defining aspects of the series is its character, and boarding the boat is taking many of them away with a variety of extensions you can buy separately. These include the following.

Extended 1

• Warriors: Jun, Leroy, Xiaoyu, Panda
• Stage: Yakushima

Extended 2

• Fighter: heihachi, Reina, Lee, Kuma
• Stage: Secluded training ground

Extension 3

• Fighter: Franciscana, Leo, Lili
• Stage: Ortiz Farm

Extended 4

• Warrior: Lydia, Eddie, Victor, Crow
• Stage: Seaside resort

Extended 5

• Warriors: Lars, Alyssa, Claudio, Zafina
• Stage: Rebel Clothes

Extended 6

• Fighter: hwoarang, law, Steve Fox, von
• Stage: Arena

Extended 7

• Warrior: Bryan Dragunov
• Stage: Midnight Siege

“Legend” extension

• Warrior: Real person, Mokujin
• Stage: “Carnival” of “Iron Fist 3”

When asked what is the reason for determining the character pairing, the design team not only wanted to create scenes that worked well, but it made sense from a narrative perspective. “When creating the character packaging, we considered several key aspects. We wanted each box to include characters that worked well mechanically, but also to share meaningful narrative connections. Little Newe's close friend, Leroy, served as her mentor.”

There are so many characters, including my personal favorites Leo, Steve and hwoarang, all show up, it has my blood pumping, and I can't wait to see how they play. Even in the core box, I can already say that paying attention to the qualities of the characters to make them feel different from each other, such as King's ability to throw away opponents or Yoshimitsu's special wheels, allowing you to bid for life to spin potential big rewards. I can't wait to see what all the other characters feel.

From different stage dangers, quick learning systems and highly detailed microcosm, Iron Fist: Board Games quickly became one of my most anticipated board games next year. My biggest concern is that with their promising roles, some people will take the same risk. Time will prove how the team can avoid potential pitfalls to succeed, but considering how to expand with the role, don't be different from something like that Unparalleledwhich means fans can choose from those packages they want, without having to buy them all. Even the core box can be offered individually in many categories. You can spend a great time alone.

Although The Iron Fist's Initial Campaign ends, the late promise will soon start with the expected April 2026 delivery date, but if you want to give it a try on your own, head over to Board Game Field Now, or view WIP rule.

Scott White is a freelancer at IGN, assisting with tabletop gaming and coaching coverage. Follow him X/Twitter or Bruceky.