Robin Hood and the Merry Men attempts to do what few games have – be a good semi co-operative experience. In the game you will take the role of Robin or one of the Merry Men (or women) as you fight to keep Sherwood safe from the plots of King John and his Sheriff enforcer.

You will do this through clever use of worker placement which is combined with how you use the cards you have. Depending on which side of your player board you play cards too you will have different options for your worker. Spaces vary from robbing the rich, laying traps for carriages, protecting and gathering at hideouts, and taking part in a push your luck archery contest.

Of course, all these shenanigans could see you sent to jail so you also might need to stage a breakout or three! Over the course of the game you will command your band of Merry Men to set traps, gather resources and weapons, then in the Hero phase you will act out your plans, robbing and ambushing or just showing off in the archery contest.

Robin Hood and the Merry Men stands up as one of the most thematic games I have ever played. You feel like you are part of the legend, thanks to the theme-based actions and the incredible work on the components, including the Mico’s always excellent art. This does come at the slight price of the game being slightly difficult to learn – there is a lot going on and while the rulebook does a commendable job there is still many parts to the game.