Stats:
No. of players: 3-5
Amount of time to play: 60-90 min
Age requirements: 12+
Set-up time: 5 min

Betrayal Legacy combines the horror-themed gameplay of Betrayal at the House on the Hill with the component and game-changing mechanics of a Legacy game.

Betrayal Legacy Rules Description:

I have not reviewed Betrayal at the House on the Hill, but have reviewed Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate. It has similar gameplay to Betrayal Legacy. So if you have never played the original board game, you can read my previous Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate post for the basic gameplay and review. The rest of this post highlights some of the changes in Betrayal Legacy. It is spoiler free.

The premise in Betrayal Legacy is that you are playing a family over generations. You play fourteen scenarios from 1666 to 2004 and then your board is set.

In this version of the game you can heirloom items. This adds a sticker with your family crest to the item card and gives you a bonus when you use that item in the future. But you must decide to heirloom an object as soon as you find it.

Items, tiles and events are specific to the area where they are found. When you need to draw a tile for a newly explored outside area it must have outside written on the back. Tiles and cards you skip are placed at the bottom of their draw pile.

Your items and omens now have two states, used and unused. They reset at the beginning of your turn. If you give them to someone else they are given in the used state.

The biggest difference is Betrayal Legacy is telling a story. The campaign mode is tied together. You’ll add different items and events depending on who wins the haunt, the heroes or the traitor. Some items will be removed from the game entirely and others can be upgraded to more powerful versions. The game is dynamic and changes as you play it.

Quick Review of Betrayal Legacy:

Betrayal Legacy is a fantastic experience. It is full of fun, suspense and after each game you will be chomping at the bit to play again. You might have a rival family, a family that never survives or someone that always ends up being the traitor.

The components are standard fare for the Betrayal series. The miniatures are ok and the tiles and art help carry the theme. There are a bunch of chits and stickers that might be used depending on the haunt. The rulebook is well-organized and you’ll add rules as you play.

The theme and story that is being told are what make this game so good. Some people might not like the mechanics and randomness of the die rolls, but everyone should enjoy unlocking different things after each game.

This is my favorite Legacy game to date. Please note I have not played Pandemic Legacy which I have heard is amazing. But of the ones I have played I have enjoyed it the most. It blends fun, thematic mechanics with a story that my group gets to tell.

If you like the Betrayal series pick Legacy up. It won’t disappoint. If you have enjoyed other Legacy games, give this one a try. If you don’t enjoy the Betrayal series I am not sure this game will change your mind, but I do think it is the best iteration.

Score and synopsis: (Click here for an explanation of these review categories.)
Strategy 4 out of 6
Luck 4 out of 6
Player Interaction 5 out of 6
Replay Value 5 out of 6 (this might drop after you finish the campaign mode)
Complexity 4 out of 6
Fun 6 out of 6
Overall 6 out of 6