Soulgivers (2022) Board Game

Soulgivers is a board game released in 2022, designed by Luca Cervini and featuring artwork by GravityGames. It falls under the categories of Abstract Strategy, Collectible Components, Fantasy, Miniatures, Science Fiction, and Wargame. The game is designed for 2–4 players with a runtime of 30–60 minutes and is recommended for players aged 14 and above. Soulgivers incorporates various game mechanisms such as Action Points, Grid Movement, Modular Board, Square Grid, Take That, and Variable Player Powers.

Game Components of Soulgivers

20 Soulgivers Cards: Representing heroes with unique abilities.

20 Anomaly Cards: Modifying the game environment.

2 People Skills Cards: Special abilities for each player.

2 Player Actions Cards: Summarizing game turns and abilities.

2 Soulgivers Skill Cards: Additional skills for the heroes.

1 Magnetic Fragment: The central objective to capture.

10 Tribute Essences: Resources for the game.

8 Decay Dice: Tracking the Decay’s progression.

25 Tiles: Double-layered with custom inserts for Soulgivers and Souls.

20 Modifiers: Changing the board’s cells based on Soulgivers’ abilities.

4 Portals: Entry and exit points for the Soulgivers and the Fragment.

1 Barrier: Blocking the Fragment at the game’s start.

1 First Player Token: Determines the starting player.

Rulebook: Including the first short story, “The Age of Decay.”

How To Setup Soulgivers

To set up Soulgivers, players first choose their initial roster of heroes from the two populations: the Shells and the Specters. Each player receives their respective People Skills Cards and Player Actions Cards. The board is composed of 25 tiles, which are double-layered and contain walls or black holes. The Magnetic Fragment is placed at the center, blocked by a Barrier. Each player places their Soulgivers on designated starting points, and the game begins once all components are in place.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Capture the Fragment: Deliver the Magnetic Fragment to a Portal to win the game.

Absorb Souls: Collect the Souls of fallen heroes to enhance surviving Soulgivers.

Use Abilities: Employ various abilities like teleportation, creating tornadoes, or controlling enemy minds.

Manage Decay: Monitor the Decay Dice to prevent Soulgivers from dying.

Modify the Board: Use tiles and modifiers to change the battlefield and block opponents.

Strategic Planning: Predict opponents’ moves and adapt strategies accordingly.

Player Experience

Playing Soulgivers is an immersive experience that requires strategic thinking and quick adaptability. The game’s dynamic battlefield, coupled with the unique abilities of each hero, ensures that no two games are the same. Players must balance resource management with tactical maneuvers, all while navigating the increasing threat of the Decay. The game’s aesthetic, with its minimalist shapes and magnetic components, adds to the overall engaging and challenging experience.

Pros

High Replayability: numerous hero combinations and ever-changing board setups.

Deep Strategy: requires careful planning and adaptation.

Engaging Mechanics: unique abilities and_decay system add complexity.

Beautiful Design: minimalist aesthetics and functional components.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: complex rules and many components to manage.

Limited Player Count: designed for 1vs1 and 2vs2, limiting larger group play.

Decay Mechanics: can feel overwhelming, especially for new players.

Personal Thoughts on Soulgivers

Soulgivers is ideal for fans of strategic board games who enjoy complex gameplay and dynamic environments. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate deep strategy and are willing to invest time in mastering the game’s mechanics. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or large groups, Soulgivers offers a rich and challenging experience for those who enjoy competitive strategy games.

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