BrickQuest, A LEGO-Inspired Dungeon Game for Geeks and Geeklets Alike

I continue to enjoy testing out a range of roleplaying games and systems with my young children. They are younger than 10, so their ability to engage with more complex systems is difficult. This means they are not yet ready for BrickQuest. But, I think this system would be suitable for many children 8 years and older, so if you know a child who is a big LEGO fan (with the big LEGO collection this game requires), BrickQuest might be for you.

I tip my 8-sided dice to the creator of BrickQuest: Peter F. Guenther. He has developed a really detailed system that combines, better than I have ever seen, concepts of RPG, fantasy, boardgames, miniature gaming and LEGO. We are talking key loves of geek childhoods here, and they all work together in a delightful system that produces geek synergy.

But, what is BrickQuest?

Guenther describes it on his site as a board game, more than a role playing game. Personally, though, I think this is more an issue of definitions.

BrickQuest is a game of small-scale fantasy combat similar to
HeroQuest, Warhammer Quest, or MageKnight Dungeons. It requires at least two players to play and can be played easily by four to six players.

One player takes on the role of the BrickMaster. His job is to create, using construction blocks, a variety of dungeon rooms in which the game will take place, and creatures to inhabit them. Ideally these rooms will be modular so they can be added to the table one at a time as players enter them or get sight of them.

The remaining players will play heroic characters who enter the dungeon in pursuit of gold and glory.

It is available under Creative Commons Licensing and the PDF rule book lays out the process for playing really simply. The real challenge appears to be putting together the "dungeon."

BrickQuest requires you to design and build the dungeon that the characters will explore using LEGO. The website offers clear instructions and ideas on how to build different modules that can be designed to fit together in a number of different ways, the pieces used are quite specific, but a little imagination will allows you to build some good designs. I have practiced building a couple and found this process enjoyable and somewhat challenging.

Once you have modules, a BrickMaster (BM) can design the dungeon in anyway they feel – but each piece will only be revealed and connected to the dungeon as players arrive in it.

LEGO is used to create the character sheets and to keep treasure and equipment. This is an excellent idea, it makes it a lot more visual for players from say 8-10 years. But, it also means you need a lot of LEGO—I am guessing most collections will need some supplements. So, head to your local LEGO Store's Pick a Brick Wall and choose selectively.

Another option if you want to become a dedicated BrickQuest player would be to design different modules using the LEGO Digital Designer and purchase them using the online option. This way you could design new modules and expand upon the game as needed. I’ve already started playing with this idea, and it is a lot of fun.

The rules system is simplified and the basic premise of any adventure will be dungeon-crawling as we all remember it: What is in the next room? How much treasure do I get? What is that sound? And, as always, it looks like it will be good to have a thief to check for traps.

Related articles on Kids and RPGs:
A Starter Guide to Roleplaying with Kids
RPG & Kids Resources