T.I.M.E Stories (2015) Board Game

T.I.M.E Stories is a cooperative board game designed by Peggy Chassenet and Manuel Rozoy, published by Space Cowboys in in 2015. It is a narrative-driven game that incorporates elements of time travel, mystery, and puzzle-solving. Players take on the role of agents traveling through time to prevent temporal anomalies and save the world.

Game Components of T.I.M.E Stories

Base Box: Includes the entire T.I.M.E Stories system and the first scenario, “Asylum”.

Mission Deck: Comprised of separate sections of cards including home base, mission map, receptacles, items, information cards, and location cards.

Cards: Over 120 cards per scenario, presented often in the form of panoramas. These cards include items, surprises, enemies, riddles, clues, and other dangers.

Tokens and Markers: Cardboard tokens and wooden player markers with stickers.

Time Units (TUs) Tracker: A mechanism to track the time units available for the mission.

How To Setup T.I.M.E Stories

Setup begins with a mission briefing where players are given an overview of the mission goal. Players then choose their unique characters, known as receptacles, each with their own stats and special skills. The game board is set up with the various components, including the mission deck and the TU tracker. Players start at the home base and are sent out on the mission, ready to explore different locations and encounter various challenges.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Deduction: Players work together to solve puzzles and complete the mission.

Decksploration: Players explore a deck of cards to uncover clues and progress through the mission.

Time Units (TUs): Each action costs TUs, and players must manage these units carefully to complete the mission before time runs out.

Character Roles: Each player takes on a unique character with different abilities, allowing for diverse approaches to challenges.

Location Exploration: Players move through different locations, examining cards and taking actions based on the information revealed.

Mission Objective: Complete the mission by solving puzzles, gathering clues, and overcoming obstacles before the TU tracker reaches zero.

Player Experience

Playing T.I.M.E Stories is akin to being in a Groundhog Day loop, where each failed attempt brings new knowledge to aid in subsequent tries. Players navigate through a narrative rich in surprises, enemies, and puzzles, often requiring strategic discussions and careful decision-making to optimize their actions. The game’s design encourages players to think outside the box and interpret clues creatively, making it a highly engaging and cerebral cooperative experience.

Pros

Unique Gameplay: Combines elements of role-playing, puzzles, and cooperative play in a unique way.

Highly Thematic Missions: Each scenario is deeply thematic and immersive, offering a distinct adventure.

Easy to Learn Mechanics: The game’s mechanics are straightforward, allowing players to jump into the action quickly.

Addictive Nature: The game’s design makes it highly entertaining and addictive, with players eager for the next mission.

Cons

Single Scenario in Base Box: The base game includes only one scenario, requiring additional purchases for more content.

Pressure and Urgency Issues: Some scenarios may release the pressure and urgency too early, affecting the game’s tension.

Loose Gameplay: Some players find the gameplay too loose compared to other puzzle and cooperative games.

Personal Thoughts on T.I.M.E Stories

T.I.M.E Stories is ideal for fans of narrative-driven games, puzzles, and cooperative play. It offers a unique experience that blends the creative freedom of role-playing with the structured rules of a board game. However, for those seeking tighter rules and more supported gameplay, other options like Unlock or EXIT might be more appealing. For long-time fans of the series or those looking to explore a new intersection of puzzles and cooperative play, T.I.M.E Stories remains a compelling and engaging choice.

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