Deckscape: The Fate of London (2017) Board Game

Deckscape: The Fate of London is a card game that was released in 2017 by DV Games. It is a cooperative game designed by Martino Chiacchiera and Silvano Sorrentino, with artwork by Alberto Bontempi. The game is set in London, where players must work together to solve puzzles and mysteries in order to prevent a disastrous fate from befalling the city.

Game Components of Deckscape: The Fate of London

A deck of slightly oversized cards

Hint cards with hints printed backwards

A rulebook

No software or prep work required

How To Setup Deckscape: The Fate of London

Setup is straightforward: players open the box, find the deck of cards, and start puzzling through them sequentially. As the game progresses, the deck is split into multiple piles, allowing for parallel puzzling while maintaining the card sequence within each pile.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Gameplay: Players work together as a team to solve puzzles.

Sequential and Parallel Puzzling: Players progress through the deck sequentially, then split it into multiple piles for parallel puzzling.

Visual Puzzles: Puzzles are presented through card art and components.

Hint System: Hint cards with hints printed backwards, accessible by looking up puzzle numbers.

Objective: Track down bombs planted in the Palace of Westminster in London and solve puzzles to defuse them.

Scoring: Incorrect answers are tallied, affecting the final score and determining the game’s ending.

Player Experience

Deckscape: The Fate of London offers an engaging and portable escape room experience. The game is easy to pick up, with the first few cards guiding players through the basic rules. The card art is cohesive and fun, and the oversized cards add a tactile quality. However, the final puzzle can be frustrating as it allows only one person to work on it at a time.

Pros

Low Price: Affordable at $16 per game.

Portable and Repackable: Easy to take on the go and share with friends.

Multiple Paths for Puzzling: Keeps everyone engaged with parallel puzzling.

Simple and Straightforward Hint System: Easy to use and helps when stuck.

No Prep Work or Software Needed: Ready to play right out of the box.

Cons

Repetitive Puzzles: Games rely heavily on a few types of puzzles, which can become repetitive.

Obtuse Puzzles: Some puzzles are overly complex and feel cheap.

Final Puzzle Design: The final puzzle in The Fate of London can be frustrating and anticlimactic.

Not Replayable: While the game can be reset for others, it is not designed for replay.

Personal Thoughts on Deckscape: The Fate of London

Deckscape: The Fate of London is ideal for families, puzzle lovers, and tabletop gamers of any experience level. It offers a fun and engaging way to enjoy escape room-style puzzles at home. However, it’s recommended to play only one Deckscape game at a time, as the similarity between the two available games can make the experience feel repetitive. If you’re choosing between the two, *Test Time* is often recommended for its more inventive final puzzle. Despite some shortcomings, the game’s low price and ease of play make it a great addition to any game collection.

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