The Stygian Society is a cooperative adventure board game set in a dark and mysterious world. Designed by Jacqui Davis and published in 2020, the game challenges players to work together to overcome challenges and defeat powerful enemies.
Game Components of The Stygian Society
Cube Tower: Central to the game, the cube tower is built using heavy cardboard punchouts and is where the main action takes place.Board: The game board is where players track their progress and interact with the cube tower.Status Board: Used to track experience, party health, default actions, luck, peril, and treasure.Character Decks: Each player has a unique deck of abilities that can be upgraded as they level up.Cards: Includes treasure cards, status cards, and chest trap cards, though they lack linen finish and extensive art.Miniatures: Representing enemies and the Big Bad Boss, these are part of the game’s dungeon crawl mechanics.Backstory: An extensive backstory that enhances the theme but is not necessary for gameplay.
How To Setup The Stygian Society
Setting up the game is a two-stage process: first, unpack and organize all the components, then place them in their designated positions on the board. The cube tower, in particular, requires careful assembly following the provided instructions, which can be somewhat daunting.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Cooperative Play: Players work together to climb the cube tower.Cube Tower Mechanism: BAD cubes from the tower activate enemies.Character Turns: Each character takes a turn without a separate “Bad Guy turn.”Leveling Up: Players can upgrade their abilities as they gain experience.Objective: Reach the top level of the tower and defeat the final Big Bad Boss.Mid-Level Boss: Players must also defeat a mid-level boss halfway through the game.Enemy Encounters: Lower levels feature lesser enemies represented by light purple cards, while upper levels are represented by dark purple cards.
Player Experience
The game offers a engaging experience with meaningful decisions at every turn. Players must decide on support cards, mitigate BAD cubes, and strategize their actions to help each other. The game flow is generally quick, with moments of tension and the satisfaction of upgrading abilities and progressing. However, some aspects like status updating and bad guy activation can be slightly tedious.
Pros
Engaging Decision-Making: Players have to make significant choices each turn.Progression System: Upgrading abilities and leveling up adds a sense of progress. Cooperative Fun: Great cooperative gameplay experience.Varied Challenges: Different levels and enemies keep the game interesting.
Cons
Setup Complexity: Setting up the game, especially the cube tower, can be challenging.Card Quality: Cards lack linen finish and extensive art.Tedious Moments: Status updating and bad guy activation can be slightly tedious.
Personal Thoughts on The Stygian Society
This game is perfect for fans of cooperative and dungeon crawl games, particularly those who enjoy the works of Kevin Wilson. It is ideal for players who like strategic gameplay and the excitement of climbing a tower filled with challenges. The game’s ability to provide a satisfying solo experience as well as cooperative play makes it versatile and appealing to a wide range of gamers.
We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.
