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Sanitarium (2012) Board Game

ByMichail

Sanitarium is a horror-themed card game released in in 2012. Designed by Dirk I. Tiede and published by Asmadi Games, it offers players the chance to explore a dark and mysterious sanitarium.

Game Components of Sanitarium

  • Player Tokens:** 4 tokens representing each player.
  • Shadows Tokens:** 4 tokens symbolizing the shadows chasing players.
  • Hallucinations:** 9 cards hindering players’ escape efforts.
  • Safe Things:** 13 cards indicating items needed to escape, with 2 copies of each.
  • Items:** 13 different items providing bonus effects.
  • Events:** 5 different events used once each, with 2 copies of each.
  • Hallway Cards:** 54 cards forming the Sanitarium layout, including Rooms and Dark Hallways.
  • Rooms:** 8 cards offering protection from Shadows and easier movement.

    How To Setup Sanitarium

    To set up Sanitarium, start by placing the Foyer card on the table, which serves as the central starting point. Each player chooses a token and places it on the Foyer. Each player begins with a Confusion Hallucination card. Draw and place Hallway cards, ensuring each new card connects via at least one doorway to an existing card. If a Dark Hallway card is drawn, place a Shadow token on it. Shuffle the Item and Event cards and place them face down on designated spaces on the Hallway cards.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Exploration:** Players explore the Sanitarium by drawing and placing Hallway cards.
  • Item and Event Collection:** Use the Explore action to collect Items and Events that provide bonuses and sanity.
  • Sanity Management:** Manage sanity by using Items and Events to counter Hallucinations and Shadows.
  • Shadows and Hallucinations:** Avoid Shadows that spawn from Dark Hallways and mitigate Hallucinations that hinder progress.
  • Cooperative/Competitive Play:** Choose between cooperative and competitive scenarios, adjusting the difficulty level accordingly.
  • Game Objective:** The ultimate goal is to escape the Sanitarium before it crumbles away.

    Player Experience

    Sanitarium offers a tense and immersive experience as players navigate through a dynamically built Sanitarium, avoiding insanity-inducing shadows and hallucinations. The game requires strategic thinking and resource management, making it engaging for fans of horror and exploration themes. Players must balance their sanity levels, use items and events wisely, and collaborate or compete to achieve the goal of escape.

    Pros

  • Dynamic Board:** The Sanitarium layout changes with each playthrough, offering high replayability.
  • Immersive Theme:** The horror theme and Sanity mechanics create a gripping and immersive experience.
  • Flexible Gameplay:** Options for cooperative or competitive play cater to different player preferences.
  • Strategy and Resource Management:** Players must think strategically about managing sanity and resources.

    Cons

  • Complex Setup:** The game requires careful setup and understanding of the rules.
  • High Stress Level:** The constant threat of insanity and shadows can be overwhelming.
  • Luck Element:** The draw of Hallway cards and Shadows can introduce a significant element of luck.

    Personal Thoughts on Sanitarium

    Sanitarium is ideal for gamers who enjoy horror-themed games and are looking for a challenging, immersive experience. It suits players who appreciate dynamic board games and are comfortable with a mix of strategy and luck. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a light, casual gaming experience due to its complex setup and high stress level. If you’re up for a thrilling adventure that tests your sanity, Sanitarium is definitely worth considering.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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