Ghost Stories (2008) Board Game

Ghost Stories is a cooperative board game designed by Pierô and released in in 2008. The game is set in a haunted village where players take on the roles of Taoist monks trying to protect the village from vengeful spirits. With its unique theme and challenging gameplay, Ghost Stories has gained a dedicated fan base over the years.

Game Components of Ghost Stories

Player Boards: Each player has a unique board with two different powers, chosen randomly at the start of the game.

Taoist Figurines: Representing the players, these figurines move around the village board.

Ghost Cards: A deck of 45 Ghost cards, 1 Wu-Feng incarnation card, and 10 additional Ghost cards.

Village Tiles: Randomized at the beginning of each game, these tiles provide various benefits.

Tao Tokens: Used to aid in exorcising ghosts.

Dice: Three Tao dice used for resolving battles against ghosts.

Buddha Figurines: Used for special abilities and bonuses.

Yin-Yang Token: Allows players to use village tiles without being on them or to bring back haunted tiles.

Curse Die: Associated with tormentor ghosts, adding additional challenges.

How To Setup Ghost Stories

To set up Ghost Stories, players first randomize the village grid by shuffling and placing the village tiles. Each player selects a Taoist priest and places their figurine on the central tile of the village. The Ghost deck is prepared by taking one of the 10 Wu-Feng cards at random, placing it in the middle of the deck, and then covering it with the rest of the Ghost cards. Players also receive their starting Tao tokens and any special abilities indicated on their player boards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Movement: Players can move one space around the village per turn.

Actions: Players can either ask a villager for help or attempt to exorcise ghosts by rolling the dice.

Exorcising Ghosts: Players must match the colors/icons on the ghosts’ card using the Tao dice and can use Tao tokens for additional successes.

Ghost Activation: At the start of each turn, all ghosts on the board activate, and a new ghost appears.

Objective: The goal is to defeat Wu-Feng and save the village. Players win by exorcising Wu-Feng and lose if all players die, three village tiles become haunted, or the last ghost card is put in play.

Player Experience

Ghost Stories offers a highly cooperative and challenging experience. Players must work together to manage the constant influx of ghosts and utilize their unique abilities effectively. The game is known for its high replay value due to the randomized village grid and the unpredictable appearance of ghosts. The beautiful components, especially the detailed ghost cards and monk figures, enhance the immersive horror theme.

Pros

High Replay Value: Randomized village grid and ghost appearances ensure each game is different.

Immersive Theme: Richly detailed components and a genuine Chinese ghost story feel.

Cooperative Gameplay: Encourages teamwork and strategy among players.

Beautiful Art: Highly praised for its artwork and component quality.

Cons

Difficulty Level: Can be very challenging, especially for new players.

Complex Rules: Requires a thorough understanding of the game mechanics.

Lengthy Games: Games can extend beyond 60 minutes, especially with multiple players.

Personal Thoughts on Ghost Stories

Ghost Stories is ideal for fans of cooperative board games and those who enjoy a good horror theme. It is particularly suited for experienced gamers due to its complexity and challenging nature. However, with its high replay value and engaging gameplay, it remains a favorite among many board game enthusiasts, even after multiple playthroughs. If you’re looking for a game that will test your strategic skills and offer a thrilling cooperative experience, Ghost Stories is definitely worth considering.

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