When comparing Broom Service vs Arkham Horror: The Card Game, the Slant community recommends Broom Service for most people. In the question“What are the best scary board games to play around Halloween?” Broom Service is ranked 10th while Arkham Horror: The Card Game is ranked 11th. The most important reason people chose Broom Service is:
There are two roles for the cards a player will play, Cowardly and Brave. Each turn there can be only one player that gets to be Brave so everyone must try to strategically guess what everyone else will do in order to decide if it is worth the risk of playing the Brave card for more rewards over safely playing a Cowardly card and getting less in that outcome.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Combines risk/reward with strategy
There are two roles for the cards a player will play, Cowardly and Brave. Each turn there can be only one player that gets to be Brave so everyone must try to strategically guess what everyone else will do in order to decide if it is worth the risk of playing the Brave card for more rewards over safely playing a Cowardly card and getting less in that outcome.
Pro Solid components that are designed well
The design of the cards and board are colorful and pleasant and the quality of the cardboard used and wooden pieces feel solid like they will last for years. Overall a nice game to look at and use.
Pro Rules that allow for 2 player
Unlike original Witches Brew game Broom service has an optional 2 player ruleset for those times when there are not enough people for the normal ruleset to be used.
Pro Multiple expansions and add-ons will continue to help the game grow and evolve over time
Fantasy Flight has already announced and released several add-on packs that include new storylines, characters, monsters, and equipment, further broadening the depth and replayability of this game.
Pro High replayability due to multiple decision points and possible endings to both individual missions and the overall scenario
At different points along each mission players will be forced to make decisions that will affect not only that mission, but the storyline overall. This means that even playing the same scenario will have different results based on the decisions made by each player.
Pro The storylines provided by the game are interesting and draw players into the game
Each scenario features an overarching storyline that encourages players to keep playing as they slowly uncover more and more details about the mystery that is unfolding. Each mission in a scenario is designed to reveal more and more information about the dangers players are facing while giving clues as to the nature of the mystery they are trying to solve.
Pro The limited time to complete each mission gives players a sense of urgency
During each Scenario players will need to complete a number of individual missions, each taking up 1 game, in order to finish the scenario. During setup for each mission they are instructed in creating an Act deck of goals to complete as well as an Agenda deck that is used as a countdown timer for the forces of evil. In order to complete the mission players will need to race to finish the tasks given by the Act deck before Agenda deck finishes counting down. This mechanic really helps make the game feel like a struggle to thwart the forces of evil before humanity is overrun.
Cons
Con Game board is busy
The board design while colorful is a bit busy in that it may be confusing what some parts of the board are for as specific colors and shapes are important to the gameplay and getting lost in the design can be a detriment to play.
Con The core set is limited to 1-2 players
Unfortunately a base set of the game will only allow a maximum of two players at a time. However, if you are willing to buy a second core set then the game can play 4 players cooperatively.