Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion at your next game night?
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- Designer Isaac Childres
- Publisher Cephalofair Games , Albi , Albi Polska , Arclight Games , CoolPlay
- Illustration Francesca Baerald , David Demaret , Alexandr Elichev
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You play a cooperative campaign of city-based scenarios investigating mysterious disappearances. The game uses a scenario book as the board instead of loose map tiles and introduces new playable characters that are compatible with the original Gloomhaven. A five-scenario tutorial and simplified rules lower the barrier for new players.
Who Is This Game For?
Aimed at both newcomers and experienced players who want a more approachable Gloomhaven experience. With support for 1–4 players it works for solo play and groups. The min age of 14 and scenario depth place it in the heavier family/enthusiast range rather than a light filler.
How It Works
Jaws of the Lion is campaign-driven and cooperative: players pick characters with unique ability cards and progress through scenarios in the book. Mechanics such as Action Queue, Action Retrieval and Campaign / Battle Card Driven shape turn planning and hand management; Communication Limits can affect team coordination. The focus is on scenario-based encounters rather than modular tile setup.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Isaac Childres, the game simplifies entry to the Gloomhaven system and uses the scenario book as the board (Components: Book as Board). In 2020 it won Golden Geek awards for Best Cooperative Game and Best Thematic Board Game.
Awards
2021
2020
- 2020 Dragon Awards Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game — Nominated
Pro
- Lower barrier to entry through simplified rules and a five-scenario tutorial
- Campaign-driven cooperative play that supports story continuity
- Scenario book as board reduces setup complexity
- New characters that are compatible with the original Gloomhaven
Contra
- Around 120 minutes per scenario requires a significant time commitment
- Complexity and recommended age (14+) may deter casual families with younger children
Setting & atmosphere
The story is set before the events of Gloomhaven in a city environment, combining urban investigation with fantasy encounters against monsters and bosses.
Tips for beginners
Play through the five-scenario tutorial and focus on understanding Action Queue and hand management before tackling harder scenarios.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Yes. The game supports solo play — players.min is 1.
How long does a game really take?
Duration is listed as about 120 minutes; first sessions with the tutorial and learning curve can take longer.
What prior experience do I need?
The streamlined rules and tutorial reduce required prior experience compared to the original Gloomhaven, but some familiarity with campaign games helps.
How does this compare to similar games?
Unlike many dungeon crawlers, this title uses a scenario book as the board and focuses on an accessible, campaign-driven cooperative experience.
Is this suitable for families?
With a minimum age of 14 and tactical depth, it's better suited for older teens and adults than for young children.
What mechanic makes it special?
Action Queue and Campaign / Battle Card Driven mechanics are central to the tactical decisions and campaign progression.
Fazit
A recommended gateway into Gloomhaven-style campaign play for players wanting thematic, cooperative scenarios with solo options. Best if you can commit to ~120 minutes per session.
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion at your next game night?
Add Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
