Space The Final Frontier

 Thematic Miniatures games now take up larger and larger pieces of real estate. For those not blessed with a permanent space to leave large games set up, the very setup and tear down can be quite daunting. For instance, Gloomhaven is a space hogger in game and an absolute nightmare to put back in the box and retain progress made for a future session. In fact, I have never successfully got all the tiles back in. Etherfields is another one that requires a defined space for a repeatable and reachable in game set up. In tear down it is another monster especially when it comes to keeping track of progression through the cards. Both these games I have had to journal to remind myself of all the specific details in resetting.

However, one blessing with Games like Gloomhaven and Silver Tower is that you only need to put out the tiles you are active on and its adjoining tiles. But this limits the game play to a clear the room and move on scenario thus precluding dash and grab when confronted by and avoiding powerful adversaries.

Some tubers are offering tear down storage ideas to save game progression. There are some nice sites for storing character info for Gloomhaven and Descent. But still, I find myself writing copious amounts of notes so as not lose all the nuances of the adventure.

Maybe game designers could add a section on alternative setups for different size tables. Or instead of after-market foam core box insert organizers, what about whole table in game organizers. I imagine low walled soft-core foam here divided into quadrants. Mark my words some earnest company will try this in the future. You heard it here first.

Descent starts out fine but ends up consuming lots of space.

MCSOTC base game, manageable, but wait for the expansions added to the base.

A nightmare to progress track if torn down.

Silver Tower, just use the tiles you are on and there adjoining. Kill everything then move on.