Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate may seem like a reskin of the original Betrayal at first glance, but it adds more depth to the game system. Add a few (well, a lot) of D&D references, and you’ve got yourself a game fit for any fan of tabletop games!
BaBG has a few key differences from the original Betrayal game. The first you’ll notice is in the characters. Each character now has their own special ability based on their D&D class. This solves the previous problem of the characters feeling samey. Now each player has a role to play, and strengths to play to. The barbarian is more likely to go off on his own to make use of his strength, while the cleric may stick close to the party to help with his healing. It adds a new dynamic to the game that’s well received.
The other main difference is the haunt mechanic. It’s been rebalanced to make early betrayals not a thing. This allows you to explore more of the rooms before the betrayal forces the game away from exploration. In my games we went through just about each room before the betrayal. This also makes the haunts more fun since there’s more room to play around in. Overall this was a change that the game needed and appreciates.
Other than those changes the game mostly plays the same. The haunts are different, though there may be some that overlap mechanically. But the flavor of the game helps it feel much different. And oh is it flavorful! Pretty much every card, every facet of the game is a reference to D&D. Some are more subtle than others, but they’re fun all the same. Whether it’s Yeenoghu, Bhaal, or the Eye of Vecna, there’s something for everyone!
This game takes the original hit Betrayal and makes it even better. If you’re a fan of Betrayal at House on the Hill, or even just D&D, you’ll surely enjoy this game. I can’t wait until next game night when I get to pull this out again. I’d rate its enjoyability at 8 out of 10. Have you played it yet? Let me know what you think of it!
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