Alice (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Alice is a board game released in 2018 by Crazy Pawn Games, designed by Óscar Arévalo and illustrated by Lorena Azpiri. It is based on the classic novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll. The game takes players on a whimsical adventure through Wonderland, where they must collect items to fulfill objectives and gain points.

Game Components of Alice

Rulebook: 48 pages, split into two parts for rules and Facilitator’s Guide.

Clue cards: Synced to a 90-minute timer, with multiple cards for each time interval.

Suspect cards: Reveal suspicious individuals and their questions.

Location cards: Uncover history and secrets about various locations.

Searching cards: Used for flexible discoveries when players decide to investigate without a Clue card prompt.

How To Setup Alice

The game setup involves preparing the text messaging environment and ensuring all players understand the silent gameplay mechanic. The Facilitator explains the rules using a provided script, and the game begins with a message initiating the 90-minute timer. Players then interact solely via text messages.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Silent Roleplaying: All interactions occur through text messaging.

Clue Cards: Players draw cards synced to the timer, prompting them to introduce new elements into the narrative.

Suspect and Location Cards: Help shape the mystery of Alice’s disappearance.

Searching Cards: Allow players to discover new information when investigating on their own.

Objective: Players take on the roles of Alice’s friends, trying to figure out what happened to her while dealing with emotional trauma.

Player Experience

*Alice is Missing* delivers a profoundly affecting experience. Players are deeply immersed in the story, with the text-based roleplaying mechanic making the experience feel seamlessly identical to the characters’ own experiences. The game’s unique setup often leads to players being deeply affected, with some even reporting dreams about the game’s events the next morning.

Pros

Unique Mechanics: Silent roleplaying via text messaging creates a memorable experience.

Immersive Storytelling: The game effortlessly guides players to a powerful, unique story each time.

Elegant Design: Mechanics are well-tuned to ensure a logical narrative evolution.

Emotional Impact: The game has a significant emotional effect on players.

Cons

Rule Understanding: If players are not completely onboard with the rules, the game can fall apart.

Limited Replay: While highly variable, some players might find the emotional intensity limits replay frequency.

Personal Thoughts on Alice

*Alice is Missing* is ideal for groups looking for a deeply immersive and emotionally charged roleplaying experience. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate unique gameplay mechanics and are willing to engage in a silent, text-based narrative. The game’s ability to evoke strong emotions and create a memorable experience makes it a standout in the storytelling game category. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking light-hearted or frequent replay experiences.

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