Hunting Party (2011) Board Game

Hunting Party is a card game released in 2011, designed by Andrew Hepworth, Janine Johnston, Jim Pinto, and Vaughn Reynolds. The game is published by Gorilla Games and falls under the category of card games. It is designed for 2-5 players with a recommended age of 12 and up.

Game Components of Hunting Party

Prophecy tablets

Sheets of paper

Eight shares of one color per player

Gold and silver pieces

Twelve stacks of cards forming a map of the kingdom, including market, hunting, and hiring locations

Hero cards

Prophecy cards (Seeking, Fighting, Guiding)

Dark Agent cards

Special ability cards and potions.

How To Setup Hunting Party

To set up the game, players start by shuffling and placing twelve stacks of cards in a 4×3 grid to form a map of the kingdom. These stacks include market, hunting, and hiring locations. Each player selects a Hero card from the hiring locations and places their eight shares on this hero. Players are randomly given one Prophecy card from each of the three groups (Seeking, Fighting, Guiding), and the remaining three Prophecy cards are placed face down under the Shadow card. Each player starts with three pieces of gold and the rest of the gold and silver are placed in the bank.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Auction and resource management

Deduction and strategic planning

Variable player powers

Game Objective

The game revolves around hunting down the Shadow by using the correct combination of skills from the Prophecy cards.

Players take turns searching for the Shadow, fighting Dark Agents, and managing their resources.

The goal is to accumulate the most gold by defeating Dark Agents and ultimately the Shadow, while also paying their hunters for their shares in the bounty.

Player Experience

Hunting Party is known for its complex and engaging gameplay, making it a fun but sometimes unwieldy experience. The game works best with three players, though rules are included for two, four, and five players. Players must strategically choose their skills, manage their resources, and outmaneuver their opponents to succeed. The game includes unique hunters with special abilities and interactions, adding a layer of depth and replayability.

Pros

Highly strategic and interactive gameplay

Unique hunter abilities and combinations

Engaging deduction and resource management mechanics

High replayability due to random Prophecy card distribution and various hunter interactions

Cons

Can be complex and overwhelming for new players

Requires careful management of resources and skills

Some players may find the game too long or cumbersome

Personal Thoughts on Hunting Party

Hunting Party is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy strategic planning, deduction, and resource management. It is particularly suitable for those who appreciate complex gameplay and are willing to invest time in understanding the mechanics. However, it may not be the best fit for casual or new players due to its complexity and the potential for lengthy gameplay sessions.

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