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La Bête (2022) Board Game

ByMichail

La Bête is a board game released in 2022 by Multivers, designed by Charlec Couronnaud. It falls into categories such as Adventure, Age of Reason, Fantasy, Fighting, Horror, making it a diverse and engaging game for players. With a runtime of 45-60 minutes and suitable for ages 12 and above, La Bête offers a mix of hidden movement, hidden roles, point-to-point movement, secret unit deployment, team-based gameplay, and variable player powers.

Game Components of La Bête

  • Board:** A map divided into four different land types: Swamp, Forest, Cave, and Settlement.
  • Cards:** Action cards with top and bottom actions for hunters and the Beast, respectively. These cards feature red or blue circle actions.
  • Player Tokens:** Acrylic standees for the Beast and hunters.
  • Mini Map:** For the Beast player to track their progress.
  • Summons and Critters:** Tokens for summons and critters like sheep, boars, and bears.
  • Grudges:** Tokens used for upgrades and powers.

    How To Setup La Bête

    Setting up La Bête involves preparing the board with the four different land types and placing the necessary tokens and cards. The Beast starts in the central space on the map, while the hunters begin in their respective villages. Each player drafts a hand of action cards, which are added to their personal decks. The game also includes a mini map for the Beast player to track their movements secretly.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Gameplay Mechanics

  • Drafting Phase:** Players draft action cards at the start of each day.
  • Day Phase:** Players take turns playing up to one red and one blue card to move, search, hunt, or perform other actions.
  • Night Phase:** Players upgrade their characters using grudges earned during the day.
  • Hidden Movement:** The Beast moves secretly, using face-down cards to record their turns.
  • Summons:** The Beast can deploy unique summons to aid them.
  • Terrain Effects:** Actions and special attacks depend on the terrain type.

    Game Objective

  • Beast:** The objective is to kill three Nobles or Settlers.
  • Hunters:** The objective is to track and kill the Beast within four days.

    Player Experience

    Playing La Bête involves a strategic dance between the Beast and the hunters. The Beast must move stealthily and use their summons and terrain advantages to evade hunters. Hunters need to confer and strategize to track the Beast, laying traps and making calculated moves. The game is visually appealing, with dark and mysterious art on the cards and detailed acrylic standees. However, the gameplay can be frustrating at times, particularly for the hunters, who often feel at a disadvantage due to the Beast’s superior movement and power.

    Pros

  • Immersive Theme:** The game offers a rich, mythological atmosphere.
  • Strategic Depth:** Both sides have various strategies and counter-strategies.
  • Components:** High-quality, visually appealing components.
  • Unique Summons:** Each Beast has unique summons that add variety to gameplay.

    Cons

  • Asymmetry Issues:** The game can feel unbalanced, favoring the Beast.
  • Hunter Frustration:** Hunters may feel disadvantaged and disengaged due to the Beast’s advantages.
  • Complexity:** The rules and strategies can be confusing for new players.

    Personal Thoughts on La Bête

    La Bête is a game tailored for players who enjoy asymmetrical and strategic gameplay. It is ideal for those who appreciate hidden movement mechanics and are willing to invest time in understanding the complex strategies involved. While it can be frustrating for hunters, the game offers a thrilling experience for those who enjoy the cat-and-mouse dynamic and the mythological setting. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking a more balanced or cooperative experience.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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