Fiction is a board game released in 2023, designed by Anca Gavril and Daniel Profiri. The game falls into the categories of Deduction and Word Game, and features a semi-cooperative gameplay mechanic. With a playing time of around 20 minutes, “Fiction” is suitable for players aged 10 and above, accommodating 2 to 8 players.
Game Components of Fiction
Cards: Each card features an excerpt from one of eight classic works of literature, including *A Christmas Carol*, *The Great Gatsby*, *Pride and Prejudice*, and more. These cards have highlighted 5-letter words, with standard words in yellow and more advanced words (with duplicate letters) in red.Dry-erase tiles: 10 tiles for the guessing team to make their guesses.Tokens: Three types of tokens for feedback – correct letter in the correct space, correct letter in the wrong space, and letter not in the word.Fact/Fiction tokens: Three tokens allowing the guessing team to force the Lie-brarian to tell the truth about a letter.Timer: A 10-minute timer for each of the two game segments.Game box and boards: A small, travel-size box containing the game components, including boards for the Lie-brarian and the guessing team.
How To Setup Fiction
To set up Fiction, the team of players chooses a card featuring an excerpt from a classic work of literature. The Lie-brarian secretly writes down one of the highlighted 5-letter words on their board, which is kept hidden from the other players. The guessing team is given 10 dry-erase tiles for their guesses and three Fact/Fiction tokens. The game is divided into two 10-minute segments, each allowing the team to make up to five guesses.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Word Selection: The Lie-brarian chooses a 5-letter word from the selected card.Guessing: The team makes guesses one word at a time, using the dry-erase tiles.Feedback: The Lie-brarian provides feedback using tokens, but must lie about one letter in each guessed word.Fact/Fiction Tokens: The team can use these tokens to force the Lie-brarian to tell the truth about a specific letter.Objective: The team must guess the word within the 10 guesses or 20 minutes. If they succeed, they win; otherwise, the Lie-brarian wins.
Player Experience
Fiction is a cooperative game where the team works together to guess the word, while the Lie-brarian attempts to mislead them. The game is highly engaging, especially with 3-4 players, as it encourages strategic thinking and deduction. However, with larger groups, the game can become chaotic, and alpha players may dominate the decision-making process.
Pros
Unique Deception Mechanic: The Lie-brarian’s ability to lie about one letter adds a fun and challenging layer to the game.Literary Connection: The use of excerpts from classic literature adds a charming and educational element.Replayability: With hundreds of words and two difficulty levels, the game offers a lot of replay value.Travel-Friendly: The game comes in a small, travel-size box, making it easy to take on the go.
Cons
Chaotic with Large Groups: The game can become less enjoyable with more than 5 players due to the potential for chaos and the emergence of alpha players.Waiting Time for Lie-brarian: The Lie-brarian may experience significant waiting periods between guesses, which can be boring.Incorrect Literary Quotes: Some players have noted that the passages on the cards are not actual quotes from the literature, which can be disappointing.
Personal Thoughts on Fiction
Fiction is ideal for fans of word games and those who enjoy strategic deduction. It’s a great addition to any board game collection, especially for those who appreciate the unique twist of deception. However, it may not be the best fit for those who dislike cooperative games or find deduction games frustrating. For the right group, particularly with 3-4 players, Fiction offers a fun and intellectually stimulating experience.
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