Tales & Games: The Pied Piper (2016) Board Game

Tales & Games: The Pied Piper is a children’s board game released in 2016 by Purple Brain Creations. The game is based on the famous fairy tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, where players take on the roles of mice trying to gather cheese and avoid being lured away by the Pied Piper. Designed by Agnès Largeaud and illustrated by Mathieu Leyssenne, this game combines storytelling and strategic gameplay for an engaging experience for kids and families.

Game Components of Tales & Games: The Pied Piper

5 House mini-boards

5 Rat counters

6 wooden rat figurines

1 Pied Piper figurine

21 Character cards

50 Action cards

1 Rulebook

How To Setup Tales & Games: The Pied Piper

To set up the game, each player selects a house mini-board and places it on the table. Each player starts with a set number of rat counters and character cards. The wooden rat figurines and the Pied Piper figurine are placed within reach of all players. The Action cards are shuffled and distributed equally among the players. The rulebook provides detailed instructions for any additional setup requirements.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Action Queue: Players play 2 Action cards on different characters (rats or the Pied Piper) each turn.

Hand Management: Players manage their Action cards to strategically move rats and the Pied Piper.

Player Elimination: Players can be eliminated if their rat tracker reaches the roof of their house.

Take That: Players can send rats to their neighbors’ houses.

Objective: The player with the fewest rats in their house at the end of the game wins. If a rat tracker reaches the roof, the player immediately flees and is out of the game.

Player Experience

Tales & Games: The Pied Piper offers a light-hearted and playful experience, ideal for families and children. The game is easy to learn and plays quickly, making it a great filler game or a fun evening activity. The wooden rat figurines add a tactile and entertaining element to the gameplay.

Pros

Easy to learn and play

Short playing time, suitable for younger players

Interactive and fun gameplay with physical components

Great for families and casual game nights

Simple to understand, with a low complexity rating

Cons

Limited depth and strategy compared to more complex games

Player elimination can lead to some players being out of the game early

May not appeal to experienced gamers seeking more challenging experiences

Personal Thoughts on Tales & Games: The Pied Piper

This game is perfect for families with children and for those looking for a light, enjoyable game that doesn’t require a significant time commitment. It’s an excellent introduction to board games for younger players and serves as a nice filler game for more experienced gamers. However, it may not satisfy gamers seeking complex strategies or longer gameplay sessions.

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