Cadaver (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Cadaver is a fantasy horror board game released in in 2016. Designed by Augustinas Raginskis, the game is centered around zombies and features set collection and take that mechanics. The game is recommended for players aged 10 and up and can accommodate 2 to 6 players.

Game Components of Cadaver

Card deck containing corpses, resources (brains, scrolls, and potions), accomplices, coffin lids, keys, amulets, and ghouls.

Resource piles for brains, scrolls, and potions.

Player hands and score piles.

Box designed to look like an open grave for holding the draw pile.

How To Setup Cadaver

To set up the game, each player starts with a hand of five cards. The central display is initialized with a couple of each of the three types of resources. Players can also draw from the resource piles if they have the corresponding accomplice cards in their tableau.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Set Collection: Players collect resource cards to resurrect corpses.

Resource Management: Players manage resources (brains, scrolls, potions) to meet the requirements for resurrecting corpses.

Trading: Players can trade cards with each other after laying and drawing cards.

Take That: Ghouls can be used to steal cards from other players, while coffin lids and keys add a layer of protection and strategy.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most points by resurrecting corpses. Individual corpses score 1 point, sets of three different corpses score 5 points, and sets of three identical corpses score 10 points.

Player Experience

Cadaver is a quick and easy game to play, making it suitable for casual gamers and families. However, the game’s reliance on luck can be frustrating, as players may experience long stretches without drawing the necessary cards. The game includes interactive elements like ghouls and coffin lids, which add a fun and competitive layer to the gameplay. Trading mechanisms are available but are not always incentivized, leading to a somewhat solitary experience despite the multiplayer setting.

Pros

Light and Easy to Learn: Perfect for new gamers or those looking for a quick, light game.

Interactive Elements: Ghouls and coffin lids add a fun layer of strategy and interaction.

Thematic Artwork: The macabre theme is well-executed without being too graphic or intense.

Portable: The game is compact and easy to take on the go.

Cons

High Luck Factor: The game’s outcome is heavily influenced by the draw, which can be frustrating.

Variable Game Length: The game can be overly long with lower player counts if the deck is not thinned.

Limited Strategic Depth: The game lacks deep strategic play, making it less appealing to experienced gamers.

Personal Thoughts on Cadaver

Cadaver is ideal for those looking for a light, fun game with a unique theme, such as families with older kids or groups celebrating Halloween. It’s not a game that will appeal to serious strategists due to its luck-driven nature, but it serves well as a casual, enjoyable experience that doesn’t require a lot of brainpower. For a more engaging experience with lower player counts, it’s recommended to thin the deck to maintain game momentum.

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