Hardback (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Hardback is a word-building deck-building game released in 2018, designed by Ryan Goldsberry and published by Fowers Games. It is a follow-up to the popular game Paperback, with added mechanics and components to enhance gameplay.

Game Components of Hardback

Deck of letter cards: Each player starts with a 10-card deck, including eight identical letters and two random ones.

Offer row cards: A selection of seven cards available for purchase.

Ink tokens: Used to draw additional cards during a turn.

Remover cards: Rare resources that allow players to take inked cards into their hand.

Fame points and money tokens: Used for scoring and purchasing cards.

Genre cards: Letters from genres like romance, horror, adventure, and mystery, each with unique abilities.

Player powers and variant cards: Include event decks, unique player powers, and cooperative mode options.

Meeples: Used instead of tokens for a more tactile experience.

How To Setup Hardback

To set up Hardback, each player begins with a starting deck of 10 letter cards. The offer row is filled with seven new cards, and each player draws a hand of five cards. Ink tokens and other components are placed within reach of all players. The game is ready to start once all players have their initial hand and the offer row is set up.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Word Building: Use a 5-card hand to create a word, with any card playable as a wild face-down.

Scoring: Score points for each letter used in the word, earning fame points or money.

Deck Building: Purchase new letter cards or ink tokens using money earned.

Ink Mechanic: Spend ink to draw additional cards that must be used in the word.

Remover Mechanic: Use remover cards to take inked cards into the hand.

Game Objective: Be the first player to earn 60 points.

Player Experience

Hardback offers a highly interactive and engaging experience. Players appreciate the ease of forming words due to the wild card mechanic, which ensures that almost any hand can be turned into a word. The game encourages strategic thinking, especially with the use of ink tokens to press your luck and draw more cards. The cooperative mode and variant cards add significant replay value, making the game enjoyable for multiple playthroughs. Players also like the downtime between turns, which allows for planning and strategy formulation.

Pros

Highly Accessible Gameplay: Easy to learn and play, even for those new to word games.

Great Production Values: Well-designed cards, pleasing cardstock, and the use of meeples.

Solid and Entertaining Mechanics: Combines word building and deck building effectively.

Loads of Replay Value: Variant cards, player powers, and cooperative mode add variety.

Encourages Creativity: Players are rewarded for creative word choices and strategic planning.

Cons

Luck of the Draw: The game can be influenced by the luck of the cards drawn.

Classics May Not Be Worthwhile: In higher player counts, the benefits of Classics cards may be less significant.

Personal Thoughts on Hardback

Hardback is ideal for fans of word games and deck builders who enjoy strategic depth and creative gameplay. It stands out from its predecessor, Paperback, with its unique mechanics, such as the ink system and the absence of attack cards. This game is perfect for those who appreciate a balance between word building and strategic planning, and it is versatile enough to be enjoyed by both casual and experienced gamers. If you’re looking for a word game that combines creativity with deck-building excitement, Hardback is an excellent choice.

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