Call to Glory (2012) Board Game

Call to Glory is a card game released in 2012 by designer Drew Baker and published by White Goblin Games. It is designed for 2 to 4 players and has a runtime of around 30 minutes. The game falls under the card game category and involves hand management and set collection mechanics.

Game Components of Call to Glory

Character Cards: 9 different types of Japanese characters, each with a specific value and quantity (e.g., 6x Emperor, 7x Empress, 8x Daimyo, etc.).

Task Cards: Three decks (A, B, C) that offer bonus points.

Ninja Miniatures: Optional, used in the “Power of the Ninja” variant.

Draw Piles: Face-down and face-up discard piles.

Score Sheets: For tracking player scores.

How To Setup Call to Glory

To set up the game, players start by shuffling each pile of character cards and dealing one card from each pile to each player. The remaining cards are placed in two face-down draw piles. During the game, two face-up discard piles will be created, allowing players to draw cards from these piles as well.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Turn: Draw two cards from different piles (face-down or face-up discard piles).

Actions: Either lay a set of character cards on the table or discard one card.

Scoring: Score points at the end of each round for the character cards laid on the table, disregarding cards in hand.

Task Cards: Reveal one Task card per player at the end of each round to earn bonus points.

Game Objective: Collect and lay sets of character cards to maximize points over four rounds (or one round in the quick game variant).

Player Experience

Call to Glory offers a fast and fun experience, with games typically lasting about 30 minutes. Players must strategically manage their hand to collect sets of valuable characters while disrupting their opponents’ plans. The game’s simplicity makes it accessible to players aged 8 and above, yet its strategic depth keeps it engaging for adults.

Pros

Quick Games: Ideal for short gaming sessions.

Simple to Learn: Easy rules make it accessible to a wide range of players.

Strategic Depth: Requires thoughtful hand management and set collection.

Variants: Includes “Imperial Tasks” and “The Power of the Ninja” for added variety.

Cons

Luck of the Draw: Card draws can significantly impact strategy, leading to some unpredictability.

Limited Player Interaction: While players can disrupt each other’s sets, direct interaction is minimal.

Component Quality: Some players might find the components, particularly the character cards, to be somewhat basic.

Personal Thoughts on Call to Glory

Call to Glory is perfect for families, casual gamers, and anyone looking for a quick, engaging card game. It’s an excellent introduction to hand management and set collection mechanics, making it a great gateway game. However, experienced gamers might find the game a bit too light and reliant on luck. Overall, it’s a fun and fast-paced game that fits well into any gaming collection.

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