Dwellings of Eldervale

I passed on backing it when I first saw it, then regretted that decision enough to go looking for a copy. Once it is on the table, the reason is fairly plain: this may be the finest production in my collection, which is not a small claim from someone whose shelves have long since become a domestic negotiation. In the Legendary Edition, the little monsters make their own growling sound as they move. It is an entirely unnecessary touch, and precisely the sort of table-side theatre I want after a day at work.

At heart, Dwellings of Eldervale is area control: you claim space, establish your presence, and try to turn that presence into a lead. Its cleverness is in not burying that depth under a pile of rules. It finds a very good middle ground between accessibility, challenge, and choices that remain clear.

Player interaction is unavoidable because everyone is contesting the same space and chasing the same points. There is a genuine issue when somebody gets away early: bringing them back within reach is not always easy. Still, the rest of the game moves with enough purpose and pleasure that this feels like a creased corner on an otherwise lovely box.

It is a tremendous game, with one substantial drawback: the price simply hurts. But if you find a copy and can stomach it, Dwellings of Eldervale is quietly excellent.