Mausoleum (2000) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Mausoleum is a darkly humorous card game that was released in in 2000. Designed by R. Hunter Gough and illustrated by Savant Garde Entertainment, this game is best suited for 3-5 players aged 12 and up. Players take on the roles of crypt keepers competing to fill their mausoleums with the most valuable corpses.

Game Components of Mausoleum

Cards: Featuring various wealthy relatives and their unfortunate accidents.

Inheritance tokens: Representing the wealth players aim to accumulate.

Accident cards: Detailing the mishaps that befall the relatives.

Party invitations: Used to summon relatives to the players’ parties.

How To Setup Mausoleum

To set up Mausoleum, players start by shuffling the deck of cards, which includes the relatives, accidents, and inheritance tokens. Each player receives a starting hand of cards. The remaining cards are placed face down in a draw pile. Players take turns inviting relatives to their parties by playing party invitation cards, setting the stage for the accidents that will follow.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Card drafting: Players draw cards from the deck to invite relatives and cause accidents.

Resource management: Managing inheritance tokens and accident cards to maximize points.

Social interaction: Players engage in a form of dark humor as they inflict mishaps on their relatives.

Game Objective

The objective is to accumulate the most inheritance by ensuring that the relatives meet with the most valuable accidents, thereby increasing the player’s inheritance.

Player Experience

Mausoleum offers a unique blend of dark humor and strategic card play. Players must balance the need to invite valuable relatives with the risk of them meeting untimely ends. The game is recommended for 3-4 players, although it can be played with 2-5 players, with 2 or 5 players introducing additional complexities.

Pros

Unique theme: Combines dark humor with strategic gameplay.

Simple to learn: Easy to grasp the basic mechanics.

Social interaction: Encourages players to engage in a morbidly amusing way.

Cons

Limited player count flexibility: Best with 3-4 players.

Repetitive gameplay: Some players might find the accident sequences repetitive.

Personal Thoughts on Mausoleum

Mausoleum is ideal for those who enjoy quirky, dark humor and strategic card games. It’s a great choice for game nights with friends who appreciate a bit of morbid fun. However, it may not be suitable for all audiences, especially those who prefer more light-hearted or family-friendly games. The game’s unique theme and mechanics make it a standout in any board game collection, but it’s essential to consider the taste and preferences of the players before introducing it.

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