Folklore: The Affliction (2017) Board Game

Folklore: The Affliction is a cooperative adventure board game that was released in in 2017. Designed by Jason Engle, Stephen Gibson, and Henning Ludvigsen, the game combines elements of exploration, fantasy, and horror in a rich storytelling experience. Players take on the roles of various characters in a dark and mysterious world, where they must work together to unravel the mysteries and defeat the evils that threaten to consume it.

Game Components of Folklore: The Affliction

Game boards: Representing various locations such as towns and dungeons.

Character cards: Each character has unique abilities and a branching ability tree.

Encounter cards: For combat and story narrative.

Equipment and item cards: For character enhancement.

Dice: For resolving combat and skill checks.

Token and tracker systems: To manage health, power points, and status effects.

Story and event cards: To advance the narrative and introduce challenges.

How To Setup Folklore: The Affliction

Setting up the game involves preparing the game boards, shuffling and distributing the various card decks, and each player selecting a character. The setup includes laying out the town and dungeon boards, placing encounter cards, and ensuring each player has the necessary character and equipment cards. The game comes with detailed setup instructions, but the process can be complex due to the game’s extensive components and narrative elements.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative play: 1-5 players work together to progress through the story.

Story-driven narrative: Players experience a rich, immersive storyline with branching paths.

Strategic combat: Combat involves tactical decisions and dice rolling.

Character progression: Characters level up and unlock new abilities.

Exploration: Players explore towns and dungeons, interacting with various NPCs and encountering challenges.

Resource management: Players must manage health, power points, and money carefully.

Objective: The ultimate goal is to rid the world of the affliction, a supernatural threat, by completing a series of story-driven missions.

Player Experience

**Folklore: The Affliction** offers a deeply immersive experience, blending elements of RPGs and dungeon crawlers. The game’s setting, inspired by Gothic European folklore, creates a haunting and atmospheric environment. Players must navigate a world where resources are scarce, and damage can be debilitating. The game’s narrative is engaging, with frequent shifts between exploration, combat, and story segments. This mix keeps the gameplay dynamic and addictive, making it hard for players to walk away from the game.

Pros

Immersive storytelling: The game offers a rich, engaging narrative.

Deep character customization: Characters have unique abilities and progression paths.

Strategic depth: Combines tactical combat with resource management.

High replayability: With branching storylines and multiple characters.

Stellar artwork: The game features impressive and atmospheric art.

Cons

Complex setup: The game requires a significant amount of time and effort to set up.

Resource scarcity: Managing health, power points, and money can be challenging.

Limited racial diversity: Characters lack racial diversity.

Anachronisms: The setting has some historical inconsistencies.

Personal Thoughts on Folklore: The Affliction

**Folklore: The Affliction** is ideal for players who enjoy deep, narrative-driven games with strategic elements. It is a great fit for fans of RPGs, dungeon crawlers, and horror themes. While it may not be as thoroughly developed as some tabletop RPGs or video games, it offers a unique and compelling experience that is hard to put down. With tempered expectations, players can appreciate the game’s strengths and enjoy the immersive world it offers.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.