Caper (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Caper is a card game released in 2018 by Keymaster Games. It is designed by Josh Emrich and features artwork by Keymaster Games. The game falls under the categories of card game, city building, and mafia themes, with gameplay mechanics including area majority/influence, open drafting, and set collection.

Game Components of Caper

Core Thief Deck

Core Gear Deck

Core Location Deck

City-specific cards for Paris, Rome, Barcelona, and London

Stolen Goods cards

Caper Trackers

Round Tracker

Coins

How To Setup Caper

To set up Caper, place the board between the two players and position the coins nearby. Separate and shuffle the Core Decks (Thief, Gear, and Location) and integrate the relevant city-specific cards. Place the decks on their designated spaces on the board and reveal one Location Card from the Location deck on each of the three spaces. Next to each Location, place four Stolen Goods cards face-up. Finally, position the Caper Trackers on the middle of each Caper Track and set the Round Tracker to the “Intro” space.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Phases: The game is played over three rounds, each split into Thief Rounds and Gear Rounds.

Thief Rounds: Players play Thief cards to various Locations to support their capers.

Gear Rounds: Players assign Gear cards to their Thieves to enhance their abilities.

Card Drafting: Players draft hands of Thief and Gear cards, swapping hands after each round.

Caper Trackers: Gear cards can move the Caper Trackers to win Locations and earn points.

Scoring: Points are awarded for winning Locations, Thief and Gear cards, and sets of Stolen Goods.

City-specific Scoring: Each city introduces unique rules and scoring opportunities.

Player Experience

Caper offers a highly engaging and strategic experience for two players. The game balances complexity and accessibility, making each card pick nuanced but not overwhelming. Players must outwit their opponents by selecting the right Thieves and Gear, managing resources, and adapting to city-specific rules. The game’s replayability is enhanced by the different themes and rules associated with each European city, such as Rome’s focus on capers and London’s economic challenges.

Pros

High Replayability: Different city settings and card combinations offer varied gameplay experiences.

Strategic Depth: Players must carefully draft and manage their cards to outdo their opponent.

Balanced Complexity: The game is easy to learn but challenging to master.

Engaging Theme: The heist theme adds a fun and immersive element to the game.

Cons

Limited Player Count: Caper is designed for two players only.

Complexity in nuances: While the game is generally balanced, some players may find the nuances of drafting and city-specific rules complex.

Personal Thoughts on Caper

Caper is ideal for players who enjoy strategic card drafting games and are looking for a game that offers both accessibility and depth. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate the challenge of adapting to different game environments, as each city introduces unique strategic elements. If you enjoy games that require careful planning and strategic thinking, Caper is an excellent addition to your gaming collection. However, if you prefer games with a larger player count, Caper might not be the best fit.

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