Art Thief (2014) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Art Thief is a board game released in 2014, designed by Heather Gunn and published by Stone Tablet Games. It is a card game that falls under the categories of exploration and cooperative games, suitable for players aged 6 and up.

Game Components of Art Thief

Room cards: 18 cards that form the museum map

Guard cards: 4 cards representing the guards

Score Sheet: To track the stolen items

Thief pawns: Two pawns, Black Fox and White Tiger

Markers: For marking stolen items on the Score Sheet

How To Setup Art Thief

To set up the game, place the Start Room in the center of the table. Shuffle the 4 Guard cards and 18 Room cards separately, then stack the Room cards on top of the Guards to form the draw pile. Players choose their thief pawns and place them on the matching start spaces. The Black Fox goes first.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together as Black Fox and White Tiger.

Room Card Placement: Draw and play a room card, aligning it with existing rooms.

Thief Movement: Move your pawn up to 5 spaces (non-diagonally) on matching color spaces (black & grey for Black Fox, white & grey for White Tiger).

Item Theft: Steal items when both thieves stand on the same item on different spaces.

Room Collapse: If a room card matches an item on two other cards, one of those cards is flipped and becomes inaccessible.

Objective: Steal all items on the Score Sheet before the 4th Guard card is played.

Player Experience

**Art Thief** offers a dynamic and strategic gameplay experience. Players must navigate a shifting museum map, avoiding guards and collapsing rooms. The game includes easy and hard modes, along with optional rules to increase the challenge, such as limiting movement or playing without consulting each other.

Pros

Portable: The game is compact and easy to carry.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and coordination between players.

Variable Difficulty: Easy and hard modes, along with optional rules, cater to different skill levels.

Cooperative Fun: Encourages teamwork and communication.

Cons

Limited Player Count: Designed for two players or solo play, which may limit its appeal for larger groups.

Luck Element: Drawing cards can introduce an element of luck, affecting the game’s outcome.

Room Collapse Mechanics: Can be frustrating if rooms collapse too quickly, limiting access to items.

Personal Thoughts on Art Thief

**Art Thief** is ideal for fans of cooperative games and those who enjoy strategic, fast-paced gameplay. It is particularly suited for couples or pairs of friends looking for a challenging yet entertaining experience. The game’s compact size and variable difficulty make it a great addition to any board game collection. However, it may not be the best choice for larger groups or those seeking a highly competitive, multiplayer experience.

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