A Study in Emerald’ is a board game based on the short story of the same name by Neil Gaiman. The second edition was released in 2015 by Treefrog Games, designed by Martin Wallace and featuring artwork by Ian O’Toole. The game combines elements of horror, murder/mystery, political intrigue, spies/secret agents, and zombies, creating a unique and immersive gaming experience.
Game Components of A Study in Emerald
Game board featuring a Cthulhu-esque map of EuropeInfluence cubesAgent tokensCity cardsDeck piles for each cityElder god cardsLoyalty cards (Restorationist or Loyalist)Victory point tokensCard decks for players
How To Setup A Study in Emerald
Setting up the game involves several key steps:
Place the game board in the middle of the playing area.Shuffle and distribute the loyalty cards to determine each player’s secret identity as either a Restorationist or a Loyalist.Each player starts with a basic deck of cards.Set up the city cards and their corresponding deck piles on the board.Distribute influence cubes to the players.Determine the starting player.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Key Mechanics
Deck-building: Players bid for and add cards to their deck to perform various actions.Area Control: Players compete to control cities and gain bonuses.Hidden Roles: Players have secret identities that affect their objectives.Influence Cubes: Used for bidding on cards, controlling cities, and other actions.Agent Movement: Players move agents around the board to gain bonuses.
Game Objective
The objective varies based on the player’s loyalty:
Restorationists: Aim to overthrow the Old Ones and free humanity.Loyalists: Work to maintain the status quo and defend the Old Ones.The game ends when a player reaches a certain number of points or if a Restorationist goes mad attempting to kill the Great Old Ones.The team (Restorationists or Loyalists) with the highest total score, excluding the lowest-scoring member of each team, wins.
Player Experience
Playing **A Study in Emerald** is an intricate dance of strategy and deception. Players must balance their actions to achieve their individual and team goals while trying to deduce the loyalty of other players. The game requires careful planning, as the performance of the lowest-scoring player on your team can prevent your team from winning. This dynamic creates a tense and engaging experience where every move counts.
Pros
Unique Theme: Combines Sherlock Holmes and Lovecraftian elements in a compelling narrative.Deep Strategy: Requires careful deck-building, area control, and social deduction.Replayability: High due to the random distribution of loyalty cards and the varying player counts.Engaging Mechanics: The combination of deck-building and area control keeps the game engaging and dynamic.
Cons
Complexity: The game has a steep learning curve due to its multiple mechanics and hidden roles.Player Interdependence: The success of your team is heavily dependent on the performance of all team members, which can be frustrating if one player is significantly underperforming.Long Playtime: Games can be lengthy, especially with more players.
Personal Thoughts on A Study in Emerald
**A Study in Emerald** is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex strategies and thematic games. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate the blend of historical and supernatural elements. The game’s depth and replayability make it a great addition to any serious gamer’s collection. However, it may not be the best choice for new players due to its complexity and the need for careful planning and social deduction.
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