Marvel United Solo Review: Pint-Sized Superheroes for All

Introduction

#

Don’t be fooled by their Chibi form–Marvel United may shrink down your favorite superheroes into pocket-sized versions of themselves, but these pint-sized protectors still pack a powerful punch. In this solo board game review, I’m going to dive into my experience playing Marvel United solo and explore why this game, with its strategic decisions and charming art, offers a surprisingly tactical and immersive experience. It’s not just another superhero skirmish. It’s a compact but rewarding adventure.

Overview

#

Marvel United is a cooperative game where players take on the roles of Marvel superheroes to stop iconic villains from executing their evil plans. Each game you need to move around six locations to complete two missions before you can go after the villain and take them out.

The game’s core mechanic revolves around a Storyline where each hero and villain adds a card to a shared timeline that influences the actions of the other characters. Think of it as building a superhero narrative, turn by turn, where each decision you make as a hero echoes across the board.

On your turn, you play a card from your hand to the Storyline. That card will not only give you actions (like moving, attacking, or rescuing civilians), but it will also combo with the card played by the hero before you. This creates a dynamic system of planning and cooperation–even if you’re playing solo–that rewards thinking ahead and anticipating how your chosen heroes will work together.

The objective is to thwart the villain’s scheme, which could range from spreading fear (à la Red Skull) to overwhelming the heroes with sheer numbers (thanks to Ultron’s robotic clones). Villains each have their own unique dashboards that lay out the goals they’re working towards, such as increasing fear levels or controlling key locations. Along the way, you’ll be managing threats, saving civilians, and ultimately delivering some comic book justice.

Marvel United includes S.H.I.E.L.D Solo Mode where you mash up the decks of three heroes and choose which hero to activate each turn based on the hero card you play. For the purposes of this solo board game review, I also tried playing two-handed (i.e. controlling two heroes like in a two-player game) to compare the experience with the solo mode. Both modes offer a rich gameplay experience, but I will break down unique quirks and challenges of each in the deeper gameplay analysis.

Gameplay

#

So, how does Marvel United actually play when you’re going solo? S.H.I.E.L.D Solo Mode felt like an afterthought in the original rulebook, as many of the villain-specific rules weren’t clearly explained for solo play. For instance, the printed rules didn’t even specify how much health the villain starts with in solo mode (thankfully, that’s been cleared up in an FAQ released post-launch).

Despite these minor hiccups, I found S.H.I.E.L.D Solo Mode to be the more enjoyable way to play. Here’s why: the game felt better balance for solo than two-player, even if it might seem easier to lose through knockout (KO) than in the two-player version. Playing two-handed, where you control two heroes by yourself, comes with an odd balance problem. With two heroes, you have fewer total cards, yet you still have to largely accomplish the same objectives before running out of time, making the game feel rushed.

In contrast, S.H.I.E.L.D Solo Mode gives you more room to breathe. You’ll have more cards to work with, which means more choices per turn. I particularly enjoyed having the flexibility to choose which hero to activate based on the situation at hand. Planning felt more tactical–like I was a real S.H.I.E.L.D commander deciding which hero to deploy to maximize efficiency. The gameplay rewards strategic thinking by letting you combo your hero’s actions across multiple turns, so you’re always looking ahead to chain the most effective plays.

Speaking of heroes, each one may seem to offer a fairly simple set of actions–move, punch, or perform a heroic action–but their unique Special Effect cards are what bring them to life. For instance, Black Widow’s “Interrogate” lets you sneak a peek at the villain’s next move, giving you a chance to thwart their evil plan before it’s too late. Meanwhile, Hulk’s “Hulk Smash” lives up to its name: it’s a brute force move that damages everything in a location. Be warned, though–he may clear civilians from a location, but he certainly doesn’t rescue them with finesse.

The villains are just as compelling, thanks to their unique Villain Dashboards, Threats, and Master Plans. Ultron, for example, floods the board with robotic clones, while Taskmaster knows your every move making it difficult to even land a hit on him. The game’s expandability comes into full view here. The villains’ differing goals and playstyles mean that each game feels fresh, and the variety in their abilities makes for fun challenges. One game you’ll be swarmed by Ultron’s relentless hordes, and the next, you’ll be trying to outwit Taskmaster’s cunning strategies. If the villains start to feel too easy, there are additional challenges you can throw in to increase the difficulty, but they don’t change up the gameplay. I wish there were more villains in the box because I think a lot of the variety comes from the different scenarios that the villains create, but this is easily remedied by the plethora of expansions for Marvel United.

The Storyline mechanic itself is a stroke of genius. It not only allows for strategic card combos between your heroes but also builds a visual and narrative track of the game’s events. By the end of the game, you’ve woven a tale of heroism, a unique story that’s shaped by your choices. The Storyline gives you the same satisfying sense of creation you get from building something in Carcassonne. It seamlessly blends narrative and creation with what would otherwise be a straightforward cooperative skirmish game–elements you wouldn’t expect to fit together so well, but so central and thematic to comic books.

Components and Design

#

One of the first things that strikes you about Marvel United is its distinctive Chibi art style. Now, I know what you’re thinking: Chibi superheroes? Really? But stay with me–it actually works. Sure, it’s not the classic comic book art style of something like Marvel Champions, but the cartoonish look brings a lighthearted, almost whimsical feel to the game that matches the accessible yet strategic gameplay.

The miniatures themselves are of exceptional quality. Each hero and villain is lovingly sculpted, and it’s clear that a lot of attention went into their design. They look like they’d be a blast to paint, especially after seeing all the creative variations shared by miniature painters on social media.

The card art is equally well-executed, with each card featuring full-sized images of the heroes and villains in action. Even if Chibi isn’t your cup of tea, you’ll appreciate the detail and care that went into making the cards visually engaging. The colorful, playful art style really stands out, giving the game an extra layer of charm.

Final Thoughts

#

Marvel United isn’t just a game where Chibi superheroes punch bad guys. It’s a fast-paced, accessible, yet strategically rich game that shines in solo mode–despite the solo rules initially feeling a bit tacked on. The combo-driven gameplay encourages forward-thinking and planning, rewarding players who can see the big picture and coordinate their heroes’ actions effectively.

From the fun, thematic Special Effect cards to the varied villain mechanics, Marvel United offers a lot of game in the box. While the Chibi art style might not be for everyone, it adds a playful charm that complements the game’s accessible yet rewarding mechanics.

For those looking for a solo game that combines superhero action with some light strategic depth, Marvel United is a fantastic choice. Just don’t let the small stature of these heroes fool you–they’ve got big plans to save the day.