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Review

Shadow Network

Shadow Network is dry set collection with a small engine-building garnish, dressed as a spy game without much interest in espionage. It functions perfectly well; it simply leaves very little behind.

EdgyJellyfish · 7 September 2023 Machine translated EL EN Read the original
Shadow Network

Shadow Network

Published
2023
Designer
Ralph Rosario
Publisher
Talon Strikes Studios LLC
Players
1–5
Playing time
90 min

Shadow Network wants to sell intrigue and spies, but at the table it is mostly dry set collection with a light engine-building layer. It is not bad. It is about as espionage-driven as a filing cabinet.

At its core, you assemble the right sets and gradually build a modest engine that is meant to improve your options. The flow is smooth enough, but the decisions never develop the tension or identity the theme has promised.

It is not bad. It is about as espionage-driven as a filing cabinet.
EdgyJellyfish

Interaction in the base game feels limited, and the shape of a session offers little that resembles covert operations, bluffing, or risky manoeuvres. The advanced modules were absent from my Kickstarter copy; the rulebook suggests they add more flavour and player contact, which would help, though I cannot judge them from play.

This is a competent set-collection game using espionage as cover art rather than substance. It did not impress me.

This is a competent set-collection game using espionage as cover art rather than substance.
EdgyJellyfish

Source: BoardGameGeek

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