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Disclosure and foreword

1. This review focuses on two-player games. Solo games have quite a different feel, so if you are particularly interested in solo games, this review might not provide a complete picture for your needs.

2. The creators of "Ironwood" were kind to send a copy of the game, but they do not have any influence over the contents of this review. The review includes my opinions based on my personal experience. Find the Review Policy here.

3. I try to be as objective as possible, but the review is based on my personal experience and includes opinions that you might disagree with. If you do, let us know in the comments below.

4. The review does not teach how to play the game. This review does not fully detail all mechanics or teach how to play the game. It looks at the most important aspects, elements, and mechanics, providing an overall idea of the game's value so you can evaluate whether the game might be a good fit for you.

5. The article includes our original images. If you like to use them in your blog or socials, use attribution by providing a link to this article and "Joyful Games" as the image's creator.

Let's Find Out How Good And Fun "Ironwood" is!

If you are reading this review in 2024, Ironwood from Mindclash Games is a very fresh board game. Only recently were the first copies shipped to the crowdfunding campaign backers. However, the game is now available for everyone to purchase on the publisher's website.

So, without further ado, let's explore Ironwood, its gameplay, and whether it is a good choice for you!

Ironwood, Explained to a 10-Year-Old

It is best played with an adult friend or teen, but if you have an intelligent kid, Ironwood might actually be OK for playing with a 10-year-old.

In Ironwood, you play as Ironclads or Woodwalkers, each with unique abilities and winning conditions.

In this steampunk-ish game, you'll play out cards, build armies, move them, have battles with the other player, and try to be the first one to complete your goal - either by building three forts or securing three totems.

The bottom line is that it's really fun, but expect your emotions to be hurt!

Skill Level: How Difficult Is it to Learn Ironwood?

Difficulty Rating: 3/5

• For two-player games, the game has specific rules and situational sub-rules, but generally, it is not overly complex.
• Most of the mechanisms are straightforward and can be taught quickly, but some specific situations, cards, and definitions may let you pick up the instruction book during your first playthroughs. 
• Despite a relatively low amount of base rules, most cards are unique with unique texts/effects.
• Given the unique cards, you'll need to know the game's language to play it (currently, it's available in English only).
• Overall, the game has a decent amount of unique cards introducing situational rules but a relatively low amount of core rules, so I give it a complexity rating of 3/5 (higher means it is more complex). 

Related: Methods for Learning Complicated Board Games.

Social Interactivity of Ironwood

Social Rating: 4.5/5

At its core, Ironwood is a war game (more precisely, a Duel game), so of course, it requires interacting with your opponent —sometimes voluntary, other times involuntary. In my experience, avoiding interacting with and conflicting with the other player is basically impossible.

On the main board, players move their armies to try securing totems (Woodwalkers) or building forts (Ironclads). However, each faction can move only on specific parts of the board (Ironclads - on mountains; Woodwalkers - among forests).

If the armies meet next to each other - you may fight and try to sabotage each other's progress.

Theoretically, playing the game with little interaction with your opponent is possible, but it does not make sense to play it this way. Also, it would require you both to be extremely conflict-avoidant, but if that is the case, this game probably is not for you. Overall, I give this game a very high interactivity rating of 4.5/5.

Best Number of Players

You can play Ironwood with one opponent or use its built-in A.I. for solo play. Although I have not had enough experience with solo mode to review it properly, I still believe that the game shines in the two-player setup.

So, unless you are an avid solo board game fan, two-player games are the best way to play it.

What Did I Enjoy The Most About Ironwood?

Asymmetry

Ironwood is at its core an asymmetrical board game. You play as one of two factions - Ironclads or Woodwalkers. Each of them has different cards, different terrains to move on, and different win conditions. While thinking about your goal, you are forced to react to your opponent. All this makes a beautiful asymmetrical dance on the board; I loved it!

Art & Components

In short, Ironwood is beautifully illustrated and has impressive components. If you want to learn more about art, design, and components, read more about that in lower sections.

Hybrid Card & Board Play

Ironwood cleverly mixes card drafting card play with board area control and combat. Combining these board game mechanics introduces a fantastic balance of possible options for each turn with relatively fast-paced gameplay. Sure, sometimes the possibilities can be overwhelming, but generally, they make the game engaging and fun.

Organized & Well-Written Rulebook

Of course, rule books are not the most exciting thing in a board game, but they are an essential part of it nonetheless. The included rulebook is well-written, with illustrations and detailed explanations. Yes, there were a few situational rules that we needed to look for on forums, but for the most part, the rulebook is excellent.

Super Quick Setup

Compared to other games of similar complexity, Ironwood can be set up very quickly. Even in the very first playthrough, I was able to set everything up in 5-10 minutes. And the next game, it was even less than 5 minutes, which is fantastically quick!

Organizing is a Breeze

The game includes amazing organizing trays. So, on top of the quick setup, the cleanup is equally fast. In the box, you'll find two plastic trays (one for each faction), allowing you to organize all components without any headaches.

To recap, the key highlights of Ironwood

• Clever card play;
• Asymmetric;
• Strategic;
• Very competitive;
• Quality materials;
• Quick setup.

What Could Be Better?

Overall, Ironwood is a refined game, but, in my opinion, there are some drawbacks and things to keep in mind if you are looking to get a copy for yourself.

Limited Factions & Replayability

The biggest drawback of this game is that there are only two factions and no gameplay modifying factors.

Having more factions (or sub-factions) with their unique abilities and win conditions would be fantastic. Or, at least the playing board could have an alternate version on its backside*.

The lack of such diversity leads to relatively poor replay value, as after 5-6 playthroughs, it starts to feel repetitive.

If they released additional factions or other new variables as expansion, I would strongly consider buying it.

*Yes, I know that the game includes a different other side of the playing board, but it is virtually the same as the main side with some quality of life improvement for the solo mode. I really think that this is a missed opportunity.

Up to Two-Players

Well, it is not particularly a drawback; just remember that besides the solo mode, Ironwood can be played with up to two players. If you enjoy multi-player games, this game may not be for you.

Analysis Paralysis

At almost every turn, you are provided at least several options, sometimes even 10+ things you potentially could do. This can lead to analysis paralysis. Then again, most good games have this "problem."

Replayability of Ironwood

Replayability Rating: 3/5

As you know by now, Ironwood introduces two distinct factions with their unique cards and sub-mechanics. This lets you have a decent replay value as you can play with one or the other faction, each having their unique card, play style, and abilities.

However, despite each faction's unique cards, their base strategy become apparent relatively quickly, so after 5-6 playthroughs, it may become repetitive.

Overall, I give it a replayability rating of 3/5.

P.S. At the time of writing, no expansions are available for Ironwood that might improve replayability.

Components and Art of Ironwood

Components

Component-wise, Ironwood is fantastic! The core game of Ironwood includes:

• Main playing board,
• Two player-boards,
• More than 80 cards,
• A unique 8-sided die,
• More than 40 plastic tokens,
• 25 wooden tokens,
• 29 metal tokens.

Yes, it includes metal tokens! And they are really good quality, too!

You'll also receive two plastic trays for organizing the components and plenty of plastic zip-lock bags, allowing you to conveniently organize and store all the elements straight out of the box.

Overall, Ironwood is a well-packed game for its price (currently 55 USD on their webpage, without shipping).

Also, you may purchase a booster pack with six holographic base cards for 5 USD. I usually don't recommend such upgrade packs, but for 5 USD, they actually provide a good value.

Art and Design

I am not sure what is the exact name of the particular art-style, but the game is illustrated in a watercolor-like style with medieval-steampunk-esque themes. And I love it!

Of course, art is objective, so you might disagree with me, but I really enjoyed the illustrations and overall feel of its theme. The illustrations are vibrant, tell a medieval fantasy story, and are simply a joy to look at.  

Value & Final Rating of Ironwood

Before wrapping up the review, I wanted to thank the Mindclash Games team for sending me a copy of Ironwood for review. It was a blast playing and reviewing it! But for this review to be honest and valuable for you - the reader, I will try to wrap this up by imagining that I paid for the game in full.

Currently, Ironwood can be ordered for 55 USD + shipping, which I will use to evaluate my final thoughts about the game and its value. 

Ironwood: Value For Money

Value Rating: 5/5

At the time of writing this review, Ironwood is almost exclusively available on the publisher's website, but I expect it should also be available in some retail stores.

As with most things, the price changes its value accordingly, so for this review, I am using 70 USD as a reference price, which includes 55 USD for the game and a potential 15 USD for shipping.

The game includes a great many elements, especially metal and wooden elements (which is amazing). You'll also find plastic tokens and many beautifully illustrated cards. And, of course, it's complemented with fun gameplay.

Given all of the contents, especially metal coins, at 70 USD, it brings a lot of bling.  Considering the polished mechanics, fun gameplay, and many tokens, I think it is an amazing value game.

Ironwood, Final Rating: 4.5/5 (for two players)

*In case you skipped the intro and headline - this review is focuses on two-player gameplay.

In short, Ironwood is an excellent two-player board game. I had so much fun playing it! All my (two-player) playthroughs were accompanied by scheming, planning, and reacting to my opponent, resulting in satisfaction when my plans were successfully carried out!

On top of that, this is a relatively simple board game you can play with your casual board gaming friend or family member.

So, I can easily recommend Ironwood to seasoned- and casual board gamers who enjoy dueling with their friends, can handle conflict, enjoy strategic card play, and enjoy dynamic gameplay.

Although I felt the game could introduce some additional elements to improve replayability, I can still easily give it a near-perfect overall rating of 4.5/5 because it is a fun game with unique mechanic combinations, super quick setup, excellent components, a thematic art style, and a fun one-to-one battle dynamic.

To Who Would I recommend Ironwood

Most likely, Ironwood is not for players who:

• Exclusively play 3+ player games;
• Dislike competitive games;
• Enjoy very laid-back games;
• Enjoy only fast-paced games;

Otherwise, Ironwood is an excellent choice for players who:

• Enjoy one-on-one battles;
• Strive in conflict;
• Love strategic card play;
• Enjoy thinking 3 moves ahead;
• Enjoy a mental challenge;
• Don't mind spending $60+ for a two player game. 

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