Adventure Games: The Gloom City File (2021) Board Game

Adventure Games: The Gloom City File is a cooperative narrative-driven board game designed by a team of talented game designers including Kayleigh Anderson, Matthew Dunstan, Hauke Gerdes, and Phil Walker-Harding. Published by KOSMOS in 2021, this game takes players on an immersive adventure set in the mysterious and dark Gloom City.

Game Components of Adventure Games: The Gloom City File

Game boards

Character cards

Item cards

Clue cards

Storybook with narrative choices

Tokens for tracking progress and clues

Rulebook

How To Setup Adventure Games: The Gloom City File

To set up the game, players first choose their characters and receive the corresponding character cards. The game boards, which represent different locations in Gloom City, are arranged according to the instructions in the rulebook. The storybook, which contains the narrative and choices, is opened to the first chapter. Players distribute the item and clue cards as indicated in the setup instructions. The tokens are placed on the boards to mark the starting positions and available resources.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Gameplay: Players work together to solve the mystery.

Narrative Choice/Paragraph: Players make choices that affect the story’s progression.

Deduction: Players must deduce clues and piece together the mystery.

Exploration: Players explore different locations to gather clues and information.

Objective: The goal is to free the kidnapped hostages and catch the perpetrator by making the right choices and solving the mystery.

Player Experience

In Adventure Games: The Gloom City File, players immerse themselves in a crime noir scenario where they play as suspended cops investigating a kidnapping. The game is divided into three chapters, each taking around 75 minutes to play. The narrative is dynamic, with multiple paths and resolutions, allowing for replayability. Players combine objects, search for clues, and interact with characters in the story, creating a engaging and suspenseful experience.

Pros

Replayable: Multiple story paths and endings.

Cooperative: Encourages teamwork and collaboration.

Immersive Storytelling: Engaging crime noir narrative.

High Replayability: No components are destroyed, allowing multiple playthroughs.

Cons

Complex Setup: Initial setup can be time-consuming.

Lengthy Gameplay: Each chapter takes around 75 minutes.

Dependency on Choices: The game’s outcome heavily depends on the players’ choices, which can lead to varied experiences.

Personal Thoughts on Adventure Games: The Gloom City File

This game is ideal for fans of cooperative games, crime noir, and interactive storytelling. It is best suited for players aged 16 and above who enjoy deduction and exploration mechanics. The game’s replayability and dynamic narrative make it a great addition to any board game collection, especially for those who appreciate a good mystery to solve collaboratively. However, it may not be the best choice for those seeking quick, light-hearted gaming sessions due to its length and complex setup.

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