BOO (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

BOO is a board game released in 2017 by designer Chris Handy and published by Perplext. It falls under the categories of Abstract Strategy, Card Game, and Horror, offering a unique blend of gameplay elements. With a runtime of 15 minutes and suitable for players aged 10 and above, BOO challenges players to use tactics and strategy to outwit their opponents in a spooky setting.

Game Components of BOO

Double-sided tiles featuring ghosts

Player decks denoted by different colors (black and white)

A graveyard setup grid

How To Setup BOO

To set up BOO, players start by creating the graveyard grid. Each player receives their respective deck of cards, which are shuffled and then drawn to begin the game. Each player holds one card from the top of their deck, and the game is ready to start. The setup involves arranging the graveyard layout using the squares and lines on the tiles to form a grid.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Laying: Players take turns laying cards into the graveyard grid.

Ghost Orientation: Each tile has ghosts facing different directions.

Line of Sight: Players follow the line of sight of each ghost to determine the effect on other tiles.

Objective: The goal is to have the most ghosts of your color showing at the end of the game.

Player Experience

Playing BOO involves strategic placement of tiles to maximize the number of ghosts showing your color. The game requires attention to detail and planning ahead, as each move can affect multiple tiles. However, the game can become fiddly, especially towards the end, as players need to carefully flip and orient tiles without disrupting the pattern.

Pros

Portable: Part of the Pack O Game series, making it highly portable.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and strategic thinking.

Simple to Learn: Basic rules make it easy to start playing quickly.

Cons

Fiddly Mechanics: Flipping and orienting tiles can become annoying, especially as the game progresses.

Limited Replayability: The game setup and mechanics remain the same each time, reducing replay value.

Short Engagement: The game might not hold interest beyond a few plays due to its repetitive nature.

Personal Thoughts on BOO

BOO is suited for players who enjoy abstract strategy and tile-laying games but might not be the best fit for those seeking high replayability or complex gameplay. It’s a good option for a quick, strategic game but may not hold long-term interest due to its simple and repetitive mechanics. If you’re looking for a game to fill a short gap or to introduce someone to strategic games, BOO could be a decent choice, but it may not become a favorite among seasoned gamers.

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