10 Minute Heist: The Wizard’s Tower (2017) Board Game

10 Minute Heist: The Wizard’s Tower is a card game that was released in 2017 by Chronicle Games. Designed by Nick Sibicky, this fantasy game is set in a wizard’s tower where players act as thieves trying to steal the most valuable treasures in just 10 minutes.

Game Components of 10 Minute Heist: The Wizard’s Tower

17 Light Cards

40 Dark Cards

11 Scoring Tiles

5 Thief Standees

1 Balcony (Start) Tile

1 Bridge (End) Tile

1 Rulebook

A beautifully illustrated box

How To Setup 10 Minute Heist: The Wizard’s Tower

To set up the game, players place the Balcony tile as the starting point and the Bridge tile as the ending point. Each player chooses a thief standee and places it on the balcony. The Light and Dark cards are shuffled and placed face down on their respective floors in the tower. Scoring tiles are set aside for the end of the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Card Collection: Players collect treasures (potions, artifacts, jewels, tomes, and fossils) by moving their pawns through the Wizard’s Tower.

One-Way Movement: Players can move down the tower but never back up.

Curses: Players can acquire curses, which offer special powers but also penalize the player with the most curses at the end.

Majority Scoring: Points are awarded based on the majority of items in each suit and value.

Objective

Collect the highest value of items while avoiding the most curses.

Be the first to exit the tower to receive bonus points.

Player Experience

In **10 Minute Heist: The Wizard’s Tower**, players are thieves racing to collect valuable treasures from a wizard’s tower before the wizard returns. The game is easy to learn but rich in strategic depth, requiring players to make tense decisions about which treasures to take and when to risk acquiring curses for special powers. The game’s short duration and simple rules make it an excellent filler for any gaming session.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Lasts only about 10 minutes, making it perfect for short breaks.

Simple to Learn: Easy rules that are quick to grasp.

Strategic Depth: Plenty of strategic decisions to make despite its short length.

Beautiful Illustrations: The game features beautifully illustrated components.

Cons

Luck of the Draw: The randomness of card draws can significantly impact gameplay.

Limited Replayability: The game’s short length and simple mechanics might limit its replay value for some players.

Personal Thoughts on 10 Minute Heist: The Wizard’s Tower

This game is ideal for those looking for a quick, fun, and strategic filler to add to their gaming sessions. It’s great for families, casual gamers, and experienced players alike who want a game that’s easy to pick up but still offers enough depth to keep things interesting. However, players seeking longer, more complex games may find it lacking in replay value and depth.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.