Anansi and the Box of Stories (2017) Board Game

Anansi and the Box of Stories is a board game based on traditional African folklore featuring the clever spider Anansi. The game was released in 2017 and is designed by Stephanie Johnson, with artwork by Level 99 Games. It falls under the categories of animals and card games, with gameplay focusing on open drafting, trick-taking, and variable player powers.

Game Components of Anansi and the Box of Stories

Card Deck: 56 cards, including six nine-card suits and two Wild cards.

Fool Cards: 12 cards that subtract points or eliminate a player.

Role Cards: 9 cards with unique abilities and scoring values.

Trait Cards: 10 cards providing additional scoring conditions in certain variants.

Quality: Cards are of good quality, though the box is larger than necessary[4%).

How To Setup Anansi and the Box of Stories

To set up the game, players are dealt a hand of cards, and several role cards are placed on the table. Each player selects a role card, which determines their scoring value and special ability for the round. The remaining cards are kept in hand, with one card carrying over to the next round if not played.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Trick-Taking: Players follow suit unless they cannot, with tricks won by the highest card of the lead suit or the highest trump card.

Role Selection: Players choose role cards at the start of each round, balancing scoring potential with special abilities.

Scoring: Players score points based on tricks won, multiplied by their role card’s scoring value.

Fool Mechanism: The player with the most Anansi cards in their tricks receives a Fool card, subtracting five points from their score. Three Fool cards eliminate a player from the game.

Variants: Includes Partnership, Traits, and Off-Suit Abilities variants, adding team play, additional scoring conditions, and off-suit abilities[4%.

Player Experience

Anansi and the Box of Stories offers a engaging and strategic gameplay experience. The role selection phase adds a layer of bravado, where players must gauge their hand’s strength and decide whether to aim for high scores or use abilities to win tricks. The Fool mechanism introduces an element of risk and tactical play, as players must balance winning tricks with avoiding Anansi cards. The game is relatively easy to understand, even for those new to trick-taking games, but it harbors complex mechanisms that appeal to experienced players[4%.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Role cards and Fool mechanism add layers of strategy and tactical play.

Engaging Mechanics: Combines elements of classic trick-taking games with unique twists.

Variety: Multiple variants offer different gameplay experiences.

Thematic Integration: Successfully incorporates African folklore, making the game culturally rich[4%.

Cons

Rulebook Issues: Poorly written and ambiguous rulebook can confuse players.

Graphic Design: Muddy colors and graphic design issues detract from the game’s aesthetic.

Box Size: The game box is unnecessarily large[3%.

Personal Thoughts on Anansi and the Box of Stories

Anansi and the Box of Stories is ideal for fans of trick-taking games who enjoy strategic depth and unique mechanics. Despite its flaws in rulebook clarity and graphic design, the game offers a fun and challenging experience. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate cultural themes and are looking to add a fresh twist to their trick-taking game collection. However, those seeking a game with impeccable production quality may find some elements lacking.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.