Caper: Europe (2022) Board Game

Caper: Europe is a card game released in 2022 and designed by Josh Emrich. It is a two-player game that falls into the category of card games, with a runtime of 25–35 minutes. The game is set in Europe, where players take on the roles of master thieves competing to pull off the most daring heists.

Game Components of Caper: Europe

Core Decks: Thief Deck, Gear Deck, and Location Deck for each city.

Location Cards: Revealed at the start, each with its own point value and effect.

Stolen Goods: Randomized assortment of goods at each location.

Caper Trackers: Track influence at each location.

Round Tracker: Keeps track of the game rounds.

Coins: Used for acquiring gear and other resources.

Wooden Components: High-quality components with whimsical artwork.

How To Setup Caper: Europe

To set up the game, place the board between the two players and position the coins nearby. Separate the Core Decks for the chosen city, shuffling the relevant cards into each deck. Place the decks on their respective spaces on the board. Reveal one Location Card for each of the three spaces on the board and shuffle the Stolen Goods, placing four face-up next to each Location. Finally, place the Caper Trackers and the Round Tracker on the “Intro” space.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Structure: The game is played over six rounds, divided into two phases: Thief Rounds and Gear Rounds.

Thief Rounds: Players play Thief cards to gain Coins and influence at locations.

Gear Rounds: Players spend Coins to equip Gear cards onto their Thieves.

Scoring Areas:

Locations: Points for controlling locations based on Caper Trackers.

Thieves: Points for Thief Cards in each player’s Crew.

Gear: Points for Gear Cards.

Stolen Goods: Points for sets of different Stolen Goods.

Objective: The player with the most points, earned through controlling locations, equipping gear, and stealing goods, wins the game.

Player Experience

**Caper: Europe** offers a tense and interactive experience, with each game lasting about 30 minutes. The game starts with exploratory moves but quickly intensifies into a series of tough decisions. Players must balance controlling locations, stealing goods, and equipping gear while also disrupting their opponent’s plans. The vibrant artwork and simple iconography make it easy to understand the game state, allowing players to focus on strategic decisions rather than rules.

Pros

High Replay Value: Randomized locations and goods, along with four unique city modules.

Easy to Learn: Simple mechanics but deep strategic choices.

Beautiful Production: High-quality components and artwork.

Portable: Compact box with a built-in organizer for easy setup and transport.

Cons

Theme: Some find the theme pasted on and not deeply integrated.

Rules Clarity: Some customers report poorly written and unclear rules.

Surprise Factor: The game loses its surprise factor after several sessions.

Personal Thoughts on Caper: Europe

**Caper: Europe** is ideal for couples, friends, or anyone looking for a engaging two-player game. It’s perfect for those who enjoy strategic card drafting and are ready to make tough decisions quickly. The game’s portability and quick setup make it a great option for game nights or casual outings. While it may not be perfect for those seeking a deeply thematic experience, it excels in providing a fun, tense, and highly replayable game session.

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