Cthulhu Gloom (2011) Board Game

Cthulhu Gloom is a card game released in 2011, designed by Keith Baker and Todd Remick, and published by Atlas Games. It is a standalone game in the Gloom series, which is known for its dark and quirky storytelling gameplay. In Cthulhu Gloom, players control a Lovecraftian family trying to drive their rivals insane while keeping their own family members as happy and alive as possible.

Game Components of Cthulhu Gloom

55 transparent cards

20 family cards

11 event cards

15 modifier cards

Rulebook

How To Setup Cthulhu Gloom

Shuffle the family cards and deal each player a family.

Shuffle the modifier cards and place them face down.

Place the event cards in the center of the table.

Each player draws 5 transparent cards to form their starting hand.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Cthulhu Gloom, players take turns playing transparent cards on their family members to make them miserable and drive them to insanity. The objective is to have the most miserable family members when the game ends. Players can play modifier cards to enhance the misery of their own family or hinder their opponents.

Player Experience

Pros:

Dark and quirky theme

Unique transparent card mechanic

Strategic gameplay with storytelling elements

Cons:

Can be confusing for new players

Limited replayability

Luck-based gameplay with random card draws

Personal Thoughts on Cthulhu Gloom

Cthulhu Gloom is an interesting twist on the original Gloom game, with a Lovecraftian theme that adds depth to the storytelling aspect. The transparent card mechanic is innovative but may take some time to get used to. The game’s build quality is decent, but the artwork could be more detailed.

In terms of pricing and availability, Cthulhu Gloom can be found at various online retailers and game stores, both new and used. It’s worth trying out if you enjoy storytelling card games with a dark theme. However, if you’re looking for a game with more depth and complexity, there are better alternatives out there. Overall, Cthulhu Gloom is worth your time if you’re a fan of the genre, but may not be for everyone.

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