The Shivers (2022) Board Game

The Shivers board game was released in 2022 by designer William Tiller and artist Pop Fiction Games. It falls under the categories of adventure, horror, murder/mystery, and puzzle, catering to players aged 14 and above. With its unique gameplay mechanics and immersive storytelling, The Shivers has gained popularity among board game enthusiasts looking for a thrilling and suspenseful gaming experience.

Game Components of The Shivers

6 interlocking pop-up rooms: The Peculiar Parlor, The Spooky Study, The Cluttered Kitchen, The Loathsome Laboratory, The Bleak Basement, and The Creepy Courtyard.

15 swappable Story Cards.

6 playable character standees and Character Dashboards.

28 NPC creature standees.

3 custom game dice.

1 Illustrated Lore Booklet and 1 Storyteller’s Companion Booklet.

8 Episode Guides and 1 Instruction Manual.

1 dry-erase marker and 1 magnifying glass.

12 plastic standee bases and 2 magnetic layout tiles.

How To Setup The Shivers

Setting up The Shivers is quick and straightforward. It takes less than 10 minutes to prepare the game. Players need to read the episode summary, open the pop-up rooms, insert the Story Cards into their respective places, and punch out the NPC standees. This setup ensures the game is ready for immediate play.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Storyteller: One player acts as the Storyteller, setting up the game, narrating the adventure, and guiding the players through the episode.

Character Selection: Players select one of the Shivers family characters, each with unique strengths and fears.

Exploration: Players take turns hunting for clues, items, and puzzles within the pop-up rooms.

Dice Rolls: Actions are sometimes determined by rolling three custom dice with varying success rates.

Cooperation: Players must work together to advance the story, solve puzzles, and encounter spooky adversaries.

Modular Design: The magnetic tile system allows rooms to be configured differently for each episode, enhancing replayability.

Player Experience

The Shivers offers a highly interactive and cooperative experience. Players engage in improvisational actions, such as opening doors or searching cabinets, which are often determined by the Storyteller and sometimes by dice rolls. The game’s pop-up rooms are particularly engaging, with their 3-dimensional objects and hidden surprises. The initial experience is delightful, especially with a seasoned Storyteller guiding the players. However, the game’s magic can diminish slightly when rooms are reused in subsequent scenarios.

Pros

Unique Pop-Up Rooms: The hand-crafted pop-up rooms are a standout feature, offering a visually appealing and interactive environment.

High Replayability: The modular design and swappable Story Cards ensure that no two episodes play the same way.

Cooperative Gameplay: Encourages teamwork and collaboration among players.

Quick Setup: The game can be set up in under 10 minutes.

Thorough Guidance: The game includes extensive booklets and a Quick-Start Tutorial to help new players and Storytellers.

Cons

Room Reuse: The reuse of physical rooms can reduce the excitement and novelty of subsequent plays.

No Solo Mode: The game requires a Storyteller and cannot be played solo, with solo preparation being necessary for the Storyteller.

Personal Thoughts on The Shivers

The Shivers is ideal for players who enjoy cooperative storytelling and adventure games, particularly those with a fondness for RPG elements. It is suitable for groups of 2-5 players, ages 14 and up. The game’s light-hearted yet engaging tone makes it a great choice for families or casual gaming groups looking to explore a haunted house filled with mysteries and surprises. While it may not be the best fit for experienced RPG players seeking deep role-playing, it serves as an excellent introduction to RPG-style gameplay and storytelling.

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