Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion Review

Intro

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion brings the beloved dungeon-crawling action of its massive predecessor into a friendlier, more approachable package. This standalone prequel follows four heroes investigating mysterious disappearances in the city, blending tactical combat with evolving storylines across 25 scenarios. The game works brilliantly for 1-4 players, though it shines brightest with two, and you're looking at around two hours per session. With an 8.39/10 rating from players, it's clearly hitting the mark. The complexity sits in that sweet spot between accessible and meaty—definitely more involved than your typical board game, but nowhere near as intimidating as the original Gloomhaven.

What makes this entry special is how it strips away the barriers that kept people from experiencing this fantastic game system. Gone are the fiddly cardboard tiles and overwhelming rulebook. Instead, you get streamlined mechanics and scenarios that unfold right in the book itself.

How It Plays

Each player controls a unique character with their own deck of ability cards. The Red Guard tanks damage and controls crowds, the Hatchet picks off enemies from range, the Voidwarden supports allies while messing with enemy minds, and the Demolitionist smashes things up close while manipulating the battlefield.

Every round, you secretly choose two cards from your hand. Each card has a top action and bottom action—you'll use the top of one and bottom of the other. This creates constant tension between what you want to do and what you can actually pull off. The number on each card determines when you act, so faster actions go first, but they're often weaker.

After using cards, they go to your discard pile or get lost entirely if you use their powerful once-per-scenario abilities. When you run out of cards, you're exhausted and out of the fight. Managing this hand is crucial—push too hard early and you'll flame out when your team needs you most.

Combat happens on gorgeous illustrated pages in the scenario book. Monsters follow simple AI rules printed on cards, so there's no need for someone to play the bad guys. As you complete scenarios, you'll unlock new ones, gain experience to level up your character, earn gold for equipment, and discover how the story unfolds based on your choices.

Highlights

The tutorial system deserves serious praise. Instead of dumping all the rules on you at once, the first five scenarios gradually introduce new concepts. By the time you're playing with full rules, everything feels natural. It's brilliant game design that other complex games should copy.

The scenario book is a game-changer, literally. Each scenario has its own gorgeous artwork that serves as your battlefield. No more sorting through dozens of cardboard tiles or consulting setup diagrams. Just flip to the page and start playing. The art is fantastic too—each location feels distinct and atmospheric.

Character progression hits that perfect RPG sweet spot. Your hero grows stronger through leveling up, new equipment, and unlocking powerful ability cards. But the real satisfaction comes from mastering your character's unique playstyle. Learning to combo your cards effectively and coordinate with teammates feels genuinely rewarding.

The cooperative puzzle of combat keeps every turn engaging. Since you're choosing cards simultaneously without full communication, you're constantly trying to read your teammates and anticipate what they'll do. When a plan comes together perfectly, it's magical.

Story integration feels meaningful without being overwhelming. Your choices actually matter for which scenarios you'll see, and the mystery of the disappearances genuinely builds tension. It's not just combat for combat's sake.

Criticisms

The campaign structure, while more streamlined than the original, still demands commitment. You can't just pull this out for a quick game night. Each scenario takes significant time, and the story works best when played with the same group consistently. If your gaming group struggles with attendance or prefers variety, this might gather dust.

Some players find the hand management more stressful than strategic. Running out of cards and being forced out of scenarios can feel punishing, especially for newer players still learning optimal card usage. The game doesn't always communicate clearly when you're pushing too hard until it's too late.

While the streamlined approach removes barriers, it also reduces some replay value. The original's modular tiles meant infinite battlefield variety, but here you're literally playing on the same illustrated pages every time. Once you've completed the campaign, there's less reason to return compared to other dungeon crawlers.

Conclusion

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion succeeds brilliantly as both an introduction to the Gloomhaven system and a satisfying game in its own right. If you've been curious about tactical dungeon crawling but intimidated by complexity, this is your perfect entry point. The tutorial system, streamlined rules, and gorgeous presentation remove every excuse for not diving in.

This works especially well for couples looking for a deeper gaming experience or small groups who can commit to a campaign. Solo players will find a robust experience too, though the cooperative puzzle loses some magic. If you enjoy RPG-style character progression, tactical combat that rewards planning, and stories that respond to your choices, you'll find plenty to love here. Just make sure your group is ready for the commitment—this isn't a game you play once and shelve.