Tabletop Game Review: Anomaly

Anomaly

Starling Games

2-4 Players

45-60 Minutes

Anomaly is a 1 Vs 3 hidden movement and deduction game in which one player acts as an alien entity while the others are students trying to survive. It has a fun science fiction theme that it fully embraces and gives a unique experience to the players.

In Anomaly, one player plays as an entity on a space station with the objective to hunt and kill the three students on board. The other players have the goal of killing the entity. While it sounds straightforward enough, the twist is that none of the players know where the others are. Even the players that control the students don’t know where the other students are. This creates a game of deduction where the players are constantly trying to pinpoint where exactly the enemy is before they attack, which will leave them instantly exposed.

It’s a fun concept that is implemented incredibly well. The players and anomaly are given a set amount of actions during a round, which can vary in how many turns it lasts. A round lasts until everyone uses a certain amount of action points. The students can use their actions whenever they want, so even deciding who gets to move next requiring a certain amount of strategy. The anomaly only gets a handful of actions, but gets the option to pass, giving the anomaly a tactical advantage.

The board is broken up into multiple regions, which are key to determining where the opponent is. Every player gets a concealed board in front of them to track their actual locations, while the larger, main board is used for finding each other. Players can track each other by using an action to ask the opponent if they are in a certain type of region. For example, some rooms are hot, so a student can ask the anomaly if they are in a hot room. If the anomaly says yes, the students can mark the hot rooms as a potential location. The anomaly can do the same, and once a player knows where the opponent is, they may choose to attack. This threat might lead to the player moving, but they can’t go far, keeping the tracking simple enough.

The game moves along at a great pace. The only times it feels slow is when a player is stuck on what their next action will be. Players are always on their toes, needing to balance evasion and attacking. The stakes get higher as the game progresses since the anomaly evolves as the game progresses. Every special anomaly action (Setting traps, teleporting, etc) is only obtainable when the students use a special action from their hand. Every play that the students make allows for the anomaly to get stronger.

The game is fantastic, but it is a bit heavy and can take some time for players to get used to. There is a lot to keep track of, and this can lead to move paralysis, severely hurting the game’s pacing. New players will need a decent amount of time to get used to the various mechanics, so it helps to have someone that knows what they are doing holding their hand for the first game or two. If players are patient enough, this is an absolute gem.

Winning in Anomaly is incredibly satisfying. It requires a significant amount of thought to succeed for both teams. The Anomaly needs to be confident and patient, while the students need to work together. This sense of teamwork is further cemented by the fact that they share a life gauge. It’s a sound system that encourages tactical thinking and support from all players.

Anomaly is one of my favorite games of 2019. It’s smart, original, and has fantastic components. The science-fiction theme is fully embraced and makes for a memorable experience. Whether you are playing as a student or anomaly, this game is a home run. Just make sure that you have the patience to learn all of its mechanics. 

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