So I just picked this new board game up from “Fanzz” retail store for $30.00 and Its published by Fremont Die and is an officially licensed product of the National Football League.
The age range states 9+, but I think a well versed 7-8 year old could play given their knowledge on the sport and how its played. 2-4 players can play, you might wonder how 3-4 can play, given its a one team vs. one team sport, but you would have one person play offensive for your team and the other plays defense for it. Same applies for the other team. It doesn’t state these rules in the directions, but its the only way right off I figured four can play with respectively the same amount of turns, responsibilities & fairness. 3 players would just be one person controlling their whole team where as the other two would divide their team up as mentioned above. I also feel a solitary game could be run, however “luck of the draw/dice” does determine more of the results than when working against another player. You can however choose to allow yourself to choose the cards you play from your hand of your team and allow the random draw from top of the opposing deck to be drawn without looking, that way you never know what your up against. I played a solo game just to test out the rules and mechanics of the game and actually enjoyed the play through. So solo again can be done with a little ingenuity on your part but no rules again are provided in the instructions for it.
The quality of the components are well made and should last a while given you don’t bend the team logo magnets that you use to customize the end zones. There are all 32 teams and they come in the form of a sheet with perforations that are simple to remove from one another and doesn’t take longer than 5-10 mins to separate them all. I didn’t have any tears or snags while separating and the graphics didn’t peal or come undone.
The remaining components are 5 penny sized clear disks used for score/downs tracking. A magnetic football and a magnetic down marker, that does require you to put a sticker on it, but its not difficult. A basic 6-sided white dice is included, I would of liked a custom NFL related die but that’s just me. But obviously any 6 sided die can be used, so finding a die with your team colors shouldn’t be too hard if you did an internet search or visit your local gameboard/hobby retail store.
So the components are pretty easy to replace if need be, the magnetic football, down marker and team logos on the other hand would require an email to the publisher for game piece replacements. However, I’ve never emailed or tried their customer service before regarding component replacement so don’t quote me on that procedure, I’m merely just basing that method with other game companies I’ve dealt with in the past for obtaining replacement pieces.
The cards are well made, simple to read and not too thick or paper thin. They are as everything else, well made and of quality.
The board has minor cosmetic problems, again its just my opinion and none of this deters or hinders the game play or enjoyment. The board obviously has an underlay of magnets to allow the game pieces to “stick” to one another, but the game board creases are a bit “bulgy” in areas and not flush. The graphics depict a red side and a blue side of random spectators and maybe adding custom “fans” as a magnet would add to the customization of the game and truly show off your team spirit during play. Having a generic red/blue side with blurry faces/bodies is again a cosmetic issue that does nothing for the overall quality or functionality of the game. They could of just removed them all together and put crib sheet notes their of quick reference game instructions/steps, But again its easily approved and gotten over.
The instructions come in at only 4 pages and its a quick read through. It captures the essence of football and its too the point. No fluff or extra rules, its football at its finest. The game captures those nail biting moments and those jump up and yell out loud victories or fails. I personally think this is the best NFL board game to date. Any fan or even someone who wants to learn what the sport is about will enjoy this game. Clocking in at 1 1/2 hours for a full game, you could cut it in half for a quick 30-45 min game if your pressed for time. But I can’t think of any negative mark downs on this game. I do hope they make an expansion pack where they add some more offensive/defensive cards of maybe some historic & legendary maneuvers and plays, adding that element of those rare “Hail Mary” throws or Devastating bone crushing tackles, but again there are plenty of cards in the game, I’m not complaining on card count what so ever, I can guarantee you’ll never play the same game twice….ever! Unless you stage the cards. Regardless of future expansions or not I can’t think of any reason not to get this game, other than you hating sports or hating NFL football.
The game truly does represent what it advertises, it IS “The Ultimate Football Board Game”! So get your game face on and wear your team colors, cause its Game Night Tonight!!!
A Wyrd Place 
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