Differences between the 2 current D&D boardgames? (CR and WoA)

[fba827]

The two current D&D boardgames by WotC: Castle Ravenloft (CR) & Wrath of Ashardalon (WoA)

I have a chance to get one of them at a discount so I thought it might be a good opportunity to try out their "style."

So my question is to anyone who has had experience with both of the games.

* Beyond "theme" is there any real difference between the two?
* Any features or options in one that aren't in the other?
* Does one simply have "better" scenarios -- and by better, i mean scenarios that seem more compelling and/or varied?
* WoA came out second -- are the rules written better/cleaner or anything like that?
* quality -- approx the same? or is one considerably poorer production quality than the other?
* other misc differences of note?

I would ask the general question of "was either game at least a little fun" but from what I've seen by hunting around (on here and on boardgamegeek) that people had at least a little fun (if not a lot of fun) with either game to varying degrees depending on taste/preferences

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jhaelen]

* Beyond "theme" is there any real difference between the two?

There is a difference, but they still play very similarly.

* Any features or options in one that aren't in the other?

WoA adds a few new features, e.g. door rules, a new treasure system and rudimentary campaigns.

* Does one simply have "better" scenarios -- and by better, i mean scenarios that seem more compelling and/or varied?

CR, imho, has the better and more varied scenarios, mostly because they're more challenging than the ones in WoA. WoA scenarios are all set up identically.

* WoA came out second -- are the rules written better/cleaner or anything like that?

Yes, WoA includes a FAQ and some improvements.

* quality -- approx the same? or is one considerably poorer production quality than the other?

Quality is identical - I think they were actually produced at the same time.

 

[Mark CMG]

The rulebooks are available as PDFs from WotC if that helps with anything -

Castle Ravenloft - Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Product (Castle Ravenloft Board Game)

Wrath of Ashardalon - Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Product (Wrath of Ashardalon Board Game)