Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is a standalone game that takes place before the events of Gloomhaven. The game includes four new characters — Valrath Red Guard (tank, crowd control), Inox Hatchet (ranged damage), Human Voidwarden (support, mind-control), and Quatryl Demolitionist (melee damage, obstacle manipulation) — that can also be used in the original Gloomhaven game.
The game also includes 16 monster types (including seven new standard monsters and three new bosses) and a new campaign with 25 scenarios that invites the heroes to investigate a case of mysterious disappearances within the city. Is it the work of Vermlings, or is something far more sinister going on?
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is aimed at a more casual audience to get people into the gameplay more quickly. All of the hard-to-organize cardboard map tiles have been removed, and instead players will play on the scenario book itself, which features new artwork unique to each scenario. The last barrier to entry — i.e., learning the game — has also been lowered through a simplified rule set and a five-scenario tutorial that will ease new players into the experience.
Gloomhaven JOTL is a great way to enter the world of campaign/adventure/dungeon-crawler games. It has a great tutorial that allows you to learn the rules of the game step by step. You don't have to read the whole manual to start playing, so you can start having fun right away. We are halfway through the campaign and I am looking forward to finishing it and starting Gloomhaven.
If you're hesitant about whether to play Gloomhaven, get this. Captures the feel and gameplay of the "big brother" very well, but less moving parts, less choices, but still fun.
