Compile - Board Game Review

Type of Game: Area Majority/Influence, Hand Management, Deck Construction

Number of Players: 2

Age: 14+

Designer: Michael Yang

Artist: Keegan Moore, Nolan Nasser, Allen Panakal

Publisher: Synapse Games

This copy of Compile was provided as a review copy from the distributor, Luma Imports, and the publisher, Synapse Games, at PAX Unplugged.

Compile is a unique line (lane) battler game that takes protocols with a varying range of styles and creates a dueling battle with your opponent! This lane battler is one that I wasn't aware of before we received our review copy, and this has been a game that I have truly enjoyed, as we need a short filler game to close out the night. I've played other games that have their own unique drafting system, such as Capstone Game, Riftforce, but there wasn't any game to truly compare this with after playing in a variety of combinations that there are with the 12 different protocols to choose from. Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of it all with how the game is played!

CONCEPT AND GAMEPLAY

Once you take the game out of it's very portable box, you and your opponent will each draft three different protocol decks that you will play with. Once you are done with the draft ,that include protocols such as Darkness, Death, and Fire, shuffle your protocol cards together and create the field with the protocol cards where they will be placed.

The fast-paced game of Compile is a simple set of six actions that are taken by a player that can even be less than the designated 6 depending on the state of the board. Let's run through those steps:

1. Perform 'Start' effects on your side of the field

2. Check control to see if you have a higher value than your opponent in at least 2 lines

3. Check to see if you can compile a line (Having control of the line and a value greater than 10 on visible cards). *This ends your turn if you compile a line

4. If you didn't compile, either play a card or refresh your hand. You must refresh your hand if your hand is empty

5. If there are greater than 5 cards in your hand, you must discard down to 5 in hand

6. Perform any 'End' effects on your side of the field

The goal of the game is to compile all three of your lines before the other person, which can be quite tricky depending on the protocols that your opponent drafts. The unique aspect of compiling a line is that the other person has to clear their half of the field as well, so if they were close to having ten, tough luck!

COMPONENTS

There are only the cards that are provided with the game, and they are of pretty good quality. I have played my personal copy a handful of times, and I don't see any issues arising over time with how good of a quality the cards are. I also like the fact that the cards have a unique presence to them for each different protocol that there are. It's very thematic and makes the player intrigued in what they are putting out onto the respective lines.

I do want to touch on the box that the game comes in and the fact that there is so much room in the box that you could easily add future content into that box to maximize the variance in protocols as you travel or are bringing the box to a game night.

FINAL THOUGHTS

As I go through and test out different combinations of protocols, I really enjoy the simplicity of the game that it brings with the strategy of drafting the protocols that you'll be playing with in that game. The replayability is always a huge calling for me when purchasing games, and I would argue that there are combinations of protocols that work best, but there are endless possibilities in a game of Compile. Let's also not forget that there are also 2 more boxes of this, as well as mini expansions that provide a ridiculous amount of protocols in addition to the 12 that come with the original game.

This is a hit of a game in my house that the girlfriend is itching to finally beat me at(someday hah)!

Comic Book Yeti writer, Dan Nixon, has also been able to get this played recently. Let's see what he thought.

"I am really fond of lane battler games and this is one that has fallen into my rotation of games to scratch that itch. Jumping right into the game the rules and cards are easy to understand and follow, but some time will be needed to learn the different protocols with how they work and interact. But when does that familiariaty start? Not after five plays, which is a good thing! I want this game to stay fresh with different decks and cards. There are only 6 cards per protocol, but finding the cool combos among them is a fun aspect.

Also, on the topic of the box. It fits the cards sleeved as well!!!"

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