Card of the Dead (2011) Board Game

Card of the Dead is a card game released in 2011 that falls into the category of zombie-themed games. Designed by Motohiro Nakamura and published by 963.com, it is a quick and fun game for 2 to 5 players, aged 10 and above.

Game Components of Card of the Dead

Cards: Three main types – Zombie cards, Action cards, and Event cards.

Zombie cards: Representing single, double, or triple zombies, each with varying levels of immunity to Action cards.

Action cards: Featuring abilities like discarding zombies or taking cards from other players, and can also be used as movement points.

Event cards: Introduce random challenges, such as taking zombies from other players or discarding all movement cards.

Movement cards: Used to track progress towards escaping the zombie apocalypse.

How To Setup Card of the Dead

Before the game begins, each player is dealt 10 cards and must choose three Action cards for their starting hand, discarding the rest which are added back to the deck. Players can only choose Action cards with one action point or one movement point.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics:
– Draw a card and play a card on each turn.
– Manage Zombie cards to avoid being overwhelmed.
– Use Action cards to discard zombies or gain movement points.
– Navigate Event cards that can either help or hinder progress.

Game Objective:
– Accumulate enough movement points to be the first to escape.
– Score points based on movement points collected over three rounds.
– Avoid getting eaten by zombies, which prevents scoring points in a round.

Player Experience

Playing **Card of the Dead** involves a constant balance between managing zombies and accumulating movement points. The game is marked by its simplicity and the unpredictability introduced by Event cards. However, this simplicity can also lead to a lack of deep strategy, with many players finding the game more tedious than engaging.

Pros

Simple Mechanics: Easy to learn and start playing quickly.

Quick Games: Typically lasts around 15 minutes.

Artwork: The game features impressive and engaging artwork.

Cons

Lack of Strategy: Limited depth in gameplay decisions.

Event Cards: Can be overly disruptive and negate any strategic planning.

Tedious Gameplay: Players often find the mechanics repetitive and annoying.

Personal Thoughts on Card of the Dead

**Card of the Dead** is best suited for casual gamers or those looking for a light, quick game experience. However, it may not appeal to players seeking complex strategies or deeper gameplay mechanics. The game’s simplicity and artwork are its strongest points, but the lack of strategy and the annoyance caused by certain Event cards can significantly detract from the overall experience.

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