Rock Hard 1977 Components Overview and Impressions

We’ve been playing Rock Hard 1977 from Devir over the past few weeks and have really been enjoying the games theme, and how it’s woven into both the mechanics and the components as well. As we almost always do, it’s time to take a look at the components in this game, and let you know what we think of them! Let’s get going!

As with all Devir games, I have one thing I need to write about off the top that’s a pretty big negative for me – no insert. I love a good insert for board games, and while they are becoming more common across the industry, it appears that not everyone is yet ready to make inserts. Now, let me be clear – this does not impact the game in any way, and I wholeheartedly suggest you pick up Rock Hard 1977 because it’s a phenomenal experience. But man, can we get an insert? Please!

Alright, negatives out of the way, let’s talk about what you get in this game. First and foremost, there are a number of cardboard bits included and they are all great. Board games have come a long way in the last 3 or 4 years, and at this point it is pretty rare for me to find a game with crappy cardboard components. Still, I think it’s worth noting for readers and consumers alike – the cardboard in this game is great, so no worries there.

But it’s the other bits that make some games stand out over others. In Rock Hard 1977, the stand out pieces are the paper money and the guitar picks. Paper money, especially, is really cool. Sure, clean crisp fake bills would have done the job, but we get something just a bit different here, and once again I think it fits the theme perfectly. Some of the bills are stained, others have marks all over them, and some even have little drawings on them. I’ve never been in the rock and roll world, but I feel like this is a somewhat realistic thematic element that would be something you might see in the backroom of a rockers home.

The other cool element in this game are the guitar picks used for tracking points. While the design team could have used anything – cardboard chits, round trackers, etc. – it’s a nice added feature to use real guitar picks as trackers.

There is one further element I’ve forgotten about until this moment, and that is really cool dials. Each player board will have a number of dials on it for tracking various things, and they work really well. Again, this is a thematic element that not only makes the game pop, but also puts you firmly in the rock and roll world as you play. Good job Devir, this is a really great touch!

The central board and player boards are great as well – in fact, everything here is great. It just needs one thing. An insert. Devir games need inserts!

We will have a full review of Rock Hard 1977 shortly, but rest assured it is a game we highly recommend. The components are fantastic and the theming is on point, both in how the game looks but also how it plays! Stay tuned for more Rock Hard 1977 content!

A copy of the game was provided by Devir for the purpose of this article.