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Cthulhu Gloom (2011) Board Game

ByMichail

Cthulhu Gloom is a card game released in 2011, designed by Keith Baker and Todd Remick, and published by Atlas Games. It is a standalone game in the Gloom series, which is known for its dark and quirky storytelling gameplay. In Cthulhu Gloom, players control a Lovecraftian family trying to drive their rivals insane while keeping their own family members as happy and alive as possible.

Game Components of Cthulhu Gloom

  • Two 55-card decks** of transparent cards
  • Four new Lovecraftian families**
  • Modifiers**
  • Untimely Deaths**
  • Events**
  • Story cards**
  • Transformation cards** that change characters into hideous and slimy things
  • Rules sheet**
  • Double-width tuckbox** packaging.

    How To Setup Cthulhu Gloom

    To set up the game, each player selects a family and its associated cards. Each family has four members, and players start by placing these members on the table. The deck is shuffled, and each player draws a starting hand. The game includes transparent cards that stack atop each other to hide and reveal the Self-Worth scores from the cards below. Players begin by placing Modifier cards on their family members to lower their self-worth and on other players’ family members to increase their self-worth.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Mechanics

  • Card Stacking: Transparent cards stack to hide and reveal Self-Worth scores.
  • Modifiers: Cards that adjust Self-Worth points.
  • Untimely Deaths: Cards that kill family members.
  • Events: Cards that trigger specific actions or effects.
  • Story cards: Provide special effects or extra points at the game’s conclusion.
  • Transformation cards: Change characters into new, often more miserable, forms.

    Game Objective

  • The objective is to lower the Self-Worth points of your own family members while increasing the Self-Worth points of your opponents’ family members.
  • The game ends when one entire family has died. The player with the lowest total Self-Worth points (the most miserable family) wins.

    Player Experience

    **Cthulhu Gloom** offers a unique blend of dark humor and strategic card play. Players delight in making their family members delightfully demented and miserable, while inflicting sanity and happiness on their opponents. The game’s storytelling element, where players can narrate the events affecting their characters, adds a fun and engaging layer to the gameplay. The Lovecraftian theme brings an eerie and entertaining twist, making it a favorite among fans of horror and fantasy.

    Pros

  • Unique Theme: Combines Lovecraftian horror with the *Gloom* gameplay mechanic.
  • Storytelling Element: Encourages players to creatively narrate their characters’ misfortunes.
  • High Replayability: Numerous card combinations and strategies.
  • Compatibility: Can be played standalone or with other *Gloom* expansions.
  • Engaging Artwork: Evocative and squamous art that enhances the game’s atmosphere.

    Cons

  • Complexity: May be overwhelming for new players due to the many card types and interactions.
  • Play Time: Can take up to 60 minutes to complete a game.
  • Mature Theme: Not suitable for younger players due to its dark and horror-themed content.

    Personal Thoughts on Cthulhu Gloom

    **Cthulhu Gloom** is ideal for fans of dark humor, Lovecraftian horror, and strategic card games. It is best suited for players who enjoy storytelling and narrating their characters’ unfortunate fates. The game’s complexity and theme make it more appealing to older players (13+ years) who can appreciate the intricate mechanics and the eerie atmosphere. For those who enjoy a blend of strategy and creative narration, **Cthulhu Gloom** is a delightful addition to any board game collection.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl