Elder Sign (2011) Board Game

Elder Sign is a cooperative dice-driven card game that was released in 2011 by Fantasy Flight Games. Designed by Richard Launius and Kevin Wilson, the game is set in the Cthulhu Mythos universe created by H.P. Lovecraft. Players take on the role of investigators exploring the eerie halls of the museum, trying to prevent the awakening of the Ancient Ones.

Game Components of Elder Sign

Investigator Cards

Ancient One Card

Adventure Cards

Mythos Cards

Elder Sign Tokens

Dice

How To Setup Elder Sign

Shuffle the Adventure Cards and create a deck.

Place the Ancient One Card in the center of the table.

Each player selects an Investigator Card.

Place the Elder Sign Tokens within reach.

Draw a number of Adventure Cards based on the number of players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Players must work together to complete Adventures and collect Elder Signs to prevent the Ancient One from awakening. Each turn, players roll dice to match symbols on the Adventure Cards to complete tasks. However, they must also be wary of the Mythos Cards that bring forth challenges and obstacles. The game ends when either the players collect enough Elder Signs to seal away the Ancient One or the Ancient One awakens and brings doom upon the investigators.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging cooperative gameplay

Lovecraftian theme adds to the atmosphere

Varied Adventure Cards keep the game fresh

Dice rolling mechanic adds tension

Cons:

Can be difficult for new players to grasp initially

Some elements of luck involved in dice rolling

Setup time can be a bit lengthy

Personal Thoughts on Elder Sign

Elder Sign is a solid game that captures the essence of Lovecraftian horror and mystery. The build quality of the components is top-notch, with detailed artwork on the cards and tokens. The game falls in the adventure, card, and dice genres, making it a versatile choice for a game night.

In terms of pricing and availability, Elder Sign can be found in both new and used condition, with expansions also available for added gameplay variety. For fans of cooperative games and Lovecraftian themes, Elder Sign is definitely worth your time. However, those who prefer more competitive or strategy-focused games may want to skip this one. Overall, Elder Sign provides a unique and immersive gaming experience that is sure to keep players on the edge of their seats.

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