Black Stories: Das Spiel (2008) Board Game

Black Stories: Das Spiel is a card game that was designed by Holger Bösch and published by Gen-X Games in in 2008. It falls under the categories of deduction, horror, humor, murder/mystery, and party game. The game is meant for 3–13 players, with the best player count being 5–8, and has a runtime of 20–222 minutes. The game revolves around storytelling and challenging players to use their deduction skills to solve mysterious and dark scenarios.

Game Components of Black Stories: Das Spiel

Cards: Each set includes a number of cards, typically 50, each presenting a mysterious and often macabre riddle or crime scenario.

Player Tokens: Some versions include tokens, such as blood tokens, which players can gain or lose based on their progress.

Rulebook: A guide explaining the setup and gameplay mechanics.

How To Setup Black Stories: Das Spiel

To set up the game, players shuffle the deck of cards and draw one card. The player who draws the card reads out the riddle or crime scenario without revealing the answer. The other players then ask yes/no questions to try to deduce what happened.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deduction: Players ask yes/no questions to gather information.

Guessing: Players attempt to solve the mystery based on the answers received.

Cooperative/Competitive: The game can be played in both cooperative and competitive modes.

Objective: The goal is to reconstruct the crime or solve the mystery by asking the fewest number of questions possible.

Player Experience

**Black Stories: Das Spiel** is designed for a social and interactive experience. It is suitable for 2-15 players, making it an excellent choice for parties or large gatherings. The game can be played in as little as 20 minutes, although sessions can vary in length. Players must work together or compete to unravel the mysteries presented, which often have dark, quirky, and sometimes far-fetched solutions.

Pros

Social Interaction: Encourages conversation and teamwork.

Variety: Multiple sets are available, each with different riddles and crime scenarios.

Party Friendly: Can be played while socializing and does not require intense focus or complex rules.

Quick Games: Sessions are relatively short, allowing for multiple plays in one sitting.

Cons

Limited Replayability: Once a mystery is solved, it loses its appeal for future plays.

Dependence on Memory: Players may remember solutions over time, reducing the game’s challenge.

Not for Everyone: The dark and sometimes morbid themes may not appeal to all players.

Personal Thoughts on Black Stories: Das Spiel

**Black Stories: Das Spiel** is ideal for those who enjoy mystery, deduction, and social interaction. It is a great addition to any game collection for parties or casual game nights. However, it may not be the best choice for players seeking high replayability or complex gameplay mechanics. The game’s success lies in its ability to engage players in a fun, mysterious, and sometimes eerie experience that is easy to pick up and play.

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.