Choose Your Own Adventure: House of Danger (2018) Board Game

The Choose Your Own Adventure series of books was first introduced in the 1980s, allowing readers to make choices throughout the story that would change the outcome. In 2018, Z-Man Games released the board game adaptation, Choose Your Own Adventure: House of Danger. Designed by Forrest-Pruzan Creative, this game brings the interactive storytelling experience to the tabletop.

Game Components of Choose Your Own Adventure: House of Danger

1 Rulebook

160 Story Cards

129 Clue Cards

1 Game Board

1 Die

1 Psychic Mover

1 Danger Mover

Starting items: a bottle of water and a pocketknife.

How To Setup Choose Your Own Adventure: House of Danger

To set up the game, players begin by studying an image on the back of the game board for 2 minutes, which represents the dreams the character has been having. This step sets the stage for the adventure. Players then start at card 1, read the text, and make choices that guide them through the story. The game board tracks the player’s psychic ability and danger level via meters.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Choice and Consequence: Players make choices that lead to different story paths and outcomes.

Dice Rolling: Challenges are resolved by rolling a 6-sided die, with success or failure depending on the danger meter and items used.

Item Collection: Players gather clues and items to aid in their investigation and overcome obstacles.

Psychic Ability: The player’s psychic level grants new options and clues during the story.

Cooperative Play: The game can be played cooperatively, though it is simple enough for solo play.

Game Objective

Explore the Marsden mansion to unravel its secrets.

Investigate criminal activity and a dark history.

Cross paths with ghostly figures, navigate secret rooms, and conquer challenges.

Solve the mystery of the missing owner of the Marsden mansion.

Player Experience

Playing **Choose Your Own Adventure: House of Danger** feels like navigating a choose your own adventure book, but with the added elements of clue collection, dice rolling, and a dynamic danger meter. The game is broken into five chapters, allowing for natural stopping points. Players can make risky choices, face off against dire challenges, and use items to boost their chances of success. The game’s retro aesthetic and nostalgic feel add to its charm, though some players may find the experience too simple or lacking in replayability.

Pros

Engaging Narrative: The game offers a thrilling adventure with a captivating story.

Unique Experience: Combines the classic choose your own adventure style with board game mechanics.

Cooperative Play: Allows for cooperative gameplay, making it a fun family or group activity.

Replay Value: Multiple paths and endings ensure each playthrough is unique.

Cons

Simple Mechanics: The game may be too simple for some players, particularly hobbyists.

Limited Replayability: Despite multiple paths, some players find it lacks enough depth to replay multiple times.

Short Playtime: The game can be completed in about two hours, which may feel too short for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Choose Your Own Adventure: House of Danger

**Choose Your Own Adventure: House of Danger** is ideal for fans of the original book series and those looking for a light, engaging narrative adventure game. It’s suitable for families and casual gamers who enjoy making choices and exploring different story paths. While it may not offer the complexity or depth that hardcore gamers seek, it provides a fun and nostalgic experience that is perfect for a rainy day or a casual game night.

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