The best thing about HeroQuest is…!

…that it’s releasing soon! The expected retail release is late-2021!

Now that we’ve got that out of our system, let’s compare and contrast HeroQuest(1989) and Hasbro‘s new HeroQuest(2021).

original heroquest box 1989 1990 milton bradley

1 The Original HeroQuest

In the late 1980s, game designer Stephen Baker left his job at miniature wargaming manufacturer Games Workshop. He took a position with the board game juggernaut Milton Bradley. Immediately, Baker began asking Milton Bradley’s head of development to give him permission to begin development on a fantasy adventure game.

After stipulating that the game must be simple and approachable, Baker was given permission to begin development on what would become HeroQuest(1989). Baker would ask Games Workshop to help in the creation of the miniatures for the game. They obliged, and they would also make contributions to the background world and the art in the scenario and rule books.

Buy, Sell, Trade

We are fortunate enough to have access to an original copy of HeroQuest for photos thanks to our Buy/Sell/Trade program here at Noble Knight Games. We buy hundreds, sometimes thousands, of gaming products each week including Magic cards, RPGs, board games, wargames, miniatures, even dice, novels, comics, and more! You can receive payment in cash or store credit for your preowned items.

If you’re interested in selling to us please e-mail a list of titles, along with a general note on their condition, to trades@nobleknight.com. Please note any missing components, writing, or excessive wear, and indicate whether you prefer cash or store credit!

original heroquest gm screen dm art

Players: 2-5
Play Time: 90 Minutes

Ages 14+
Complexity: 4/10

The Gist of HeroQuest

“HeroQuest is a fantasy adventure game set deep within a hidden stone labyrinth. This maze of underground rooms and corridors is controlled by the Evil Sorcerer Zargon and his forces of Chaos.

Four valiant heroes have been summoned by Mentor, the good and ancient sage, to do battle with Chaos. Thiers is the ultimate heroic challenge — descend into the treacherous world of the unknown and restore honor to the Empire. Destroy the evil forces of Chaos!”

heroquest miniatures characters dwarf warrior barbarian elf wizard — Ladril the Elf, Rogar the Barbarian, Durgin the Dwarf, and Telor the Wizard

Rogar the Barbarian – A warrior prince from the Borderlands
Durgin the Dwarf – A warrior from the World’s Edge Mountains
Ladril the Elf – A fighter mage from distant Athelorn
Telor the Wizard – A mighty sorcerer

“Bonded by their loyalty to the Empire, the brave heroes unite. Stepping cautiously, they journey deeper and deeper into a dark, hidden world…”

– HeroQuest Instruction Booklet

What’s In The Box?

Inside of the Quest Book
Ladril the Elf, Rogar the Barbarian, Durgin the Dwarf, and Telor the Wizard
Dungeon Tiles
Orcs, goblins, fimir, chaos warriors, chaos warlock, gargolye, skeletons, zombies, mummies, rats, and skulls
4 Chaos Warriors, 1 Chaos Warlock, and 1 Gargoyle
6 Combat Dice, 2 Movement Dice

Full Contents List

Listed in the Instruction Booklet is:

Game board
Instruction booklet
Quest book
4 Character cards
Information screen (GM screen)
Character sheet pad
Cardboard tiles
4 Heroes
31 Monsters
15 Pieces of furniture
21 Doors (16 open, 5 closed)
Miscellaneous Items
66 Cards

31 Monsters

8 orcs, 6 goblins, 3 fimir, 4 chaos warriors, 1 chaos warlock, 1 gargoyle, 4 skeletons, 2 zombies, and 2 mummies

15 Pieces of furniture

2 tables, 1 throne, 1 alchemist’s bench, 3 treasure chests, 1 tomb, 1 sorcerer’s table, 2 bookcases, 1 rack, 1 fireplace, 1 weapons rack, and 1 cupboard

Miscellaneous Items

Candlesticks, bottles, scales, skulls, and rats

66 Cards

24 treasure, 10 artifact, 8 monster, 3 air spell, 3 fire spell, 3 earth spell, 3 water spell, and 12 chaos spell

new heroquest box

2 The New HeroQuest

While the new HeroQuest hasn’t hit retail yet, we do have some knowledge about it and its contents.

Where Can We Expect Gameplay Changes?

Hasbro has said that the new version will have an updated rule book and quest book. These have been based off of the U.S. version of the rule and quest books from the original game. It seems like they are staying true to the original game because they claim to have only made “minor changes.” This bodes well for everyone looking to get a nostalgia kick from the upcoming 2021 release!

Physical Changes

This is where the changes are most obvious. Although they designed the original miniatures and some of the artwork, Games Workshop was not a part of the new version. So we find ourselves with brand new takes on the player characters and monsters. This includes a name change from Chaos Warrior/Warlock to Dread Warrior/Sorcerer. We also now have Abominations where we once had Fimir. So let’s take a look at all of the currently available digital renderings of the new miniatures!

Player Characters

These include brand new sculpts as well as adding female variants for barbarian, dwarf, and wizard; and a male variant of the elf!

Barbarian
Dwarf
Elf
Wizard
Barbarian (female)
Dwarf (female)
Elf (male)
Wizard (female)
Sir Ragnar

Modern Furniture

The new furniture models seem to have struck a very nice balance. They are more detailed than their predecessors, but haven’t been overcomplicated. They seem to hold true to the style of the original game!