Bristol 1350 (2021) Board Game

Bristol 1350 is a board game released in 2021 by Facade Games. Designed by Travis Hancock, it takes players back to the medieval era during the time of the Black Death in the city of Bristol. Players must navigate through the city’s streets, avoiding the plague and working together to escape before it’s too late. With hidden roles and player elimination, Bristol 1350 offers a unique and challenging gaming experience.

Game Components of Bristol 1350

Magnetic book box

Rubber playmat

9 wood pawns

3 miniature carts

6 custom apple/rat dice

64 cards (including 9 character cards, 27 remedy cards, and 28 symptom cards)

Linen pouch

Rulebook

Deluxe edition includes a cloth bag with copper alms (one cure, one plague, and several red herrings).

How To Setup Bristol 1350

To set up the game, players place the rubber playmat on the table, distribute the character cards, and prepare the symptom and remedy cards. Each player chooses a character and places their pawn on one of the three apple carts. The dice and other components are made available for use during the game. The game instructions are straightforward, and setup can be completed quickly[5/.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective: Be the first cart to leave town without getting infected by the plague.

Mechanics:
– Social Deduction: Players must figure out who is infected and avoid them.
– Dice Rolling: Players roll dice to move the carts and determine the spread of infection.
– Card Management: Players use remedy cards to manage their symptoms and special abilities to influence the game.
– Player Interaction: Players can move pawns, re-roll dice, or play cards to better their position or hinder others.

Player Experience

Bristol 1350 is designed for 1-9 players and is particularly enjoyable with higher player counts. The game is known for its light-hearted and quick-paced nature, making it a fun party game. Players embody citizens trying to escape the plague-ridden streets of Bristol, engaging in social deduction, plotting, and occasional betrayal. The game’s theatrical elements, such as accusations and alliances, add to its engaging and often hilarious gameplay.

Pros

Easy to Learn: The game can be learned in 10 minutes and played in 20-40 minutes.

High-Quality Components: The game features beautiful card art, detailed miniature carts, and a unique faux book box design.

Social Interaction: Encourages player interaction, scheming, and social deduction.

Theme Integration: The game’s theme is well-integrated with the mechanics, creating an immersive experience.

Solo and Party Modes: Offers both solo and multi-player modes, making it versatile for different gaming groups.

Cons

Small Pieces: The small pieces and carts can be frustrating to manage.

Lack of Movement Incentive: Some players find there is not enough incentive to use movement actions.

Character Token Similarity: Some character tokens are difficult to distinguish from one another.

Mingling Mechanic: Mingling does not happen frequently enough to make the more fun mechanics meaningful.

Personal Thoughts on Bristol 1350

Bristol 1350 is ideal for those who enjoy light-hearted, quick-paced games with a strong social deduction element. It is perfect for larger gaming groups and those who appreciate a good party game. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking deep strategic gameplay or those who prefer games with more complex mechanics. The game’s unique theme and engaging gameplay make it a standout in the Dark Cities series, especially for fans of games like Salem and Deadwood.

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