LOOP (2023) Board Game – Board Game Guys

LOOP is a card game released in 2023 by QURAGE, featuring hand management and ladder climbing mechanics. The game is designed for 2-4 players and has a runtime of approximately 15 minutes. The artwork for LOOP is done by BrainBrainGames, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal of the game.

Game Components of LOOP

Board: A unique, visually striking board featuring a time machine and seven Eras.

Cards: Unique Artifact cards, Faux cards, and character-specific cards.

Cubes: Energy cubes and Rift cubes used for various game mechanics.

Character Boards: Each player has a distinct character with special abilities.

Vortex Tiles: Representing time distortions that can lead to game loss.

Clones and Artifacts: Tokens and miniatures for Dr. Faux’s clones and player actions.

How To Setup LOOP

To set up LOOP, start by placing the board in the middle of the playing area and setting up Dr. Faux’s time machine. Each player selects a character and receives their starting deck of cards. The Faux deck, which acts as the game’s timer, is shuffled and placed within reach. Artifact cards are distributed across the seven Eras, and initial clones and rifts are set up according to the scenario. Players then draw their starting hands of three cards each.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Players aim to stop Dr. Faux by completing four missions and destroying his time machine.

Turn Phases:

Faux Phase: Dr. Faux’s clones are added, an Artifact card is placed, and Rift cubes are dropped into the cube tower, potentially creating time rifts and vortexes.

Action Phase: Players can move, use Artifact cards to perform actions, and utilize Energy cubes to loop (refresh) their cards.

Acquire Phase: Players can take an Artifact card from their current Era.

Complete Mission: Missions are completed, and new ones are revealed.

Refresh: Players discard their cards and draw new ones.

LOOP Mechanism: Players can consume Energy cubes to refresh and reuse their cards, allowing for complex combos and strategic turns.

Player Experience

Playing LOOP is an immersive and challenging experience. The game combines the thrill of time travel with the unpredictability of a dynamic cube tower, making each turn exciting and unpredictable. Players must strategize deeply, using their unique character abilities and Artifact cards to manage the ever-changing board state. The game’s visual style and humor add to its engaging nature, making it a standout in the cooperative board game genre.

Pros

Unique Visual Style: The game’s art and design are striking and refreshing.

High Replayability: With variable missions and a dynamic cube tower, each game is different.

Deep Strategy: The LOOP mechanism allows for complex combos and strategic thinking.

Engaging Theme: The time travel theme is well-executed and fun.

Distinct Characters: Each character has unique abilities, making team play varied and interesting.

Cons

Complex Rulebook: The game can be slow to set up and learn due to its intricate rules.

Long Playtime: Games can take up to 3 hours to complete.

High Difficulty: The game is challenging, and the final difficulty level introduces a stronger, more predictable Dr. Faux.

Limited Scenarios in Base Game: While the game has high replayability, the base game includes a limited number of scenarios.

Personal Thoughts on LOOP

LOOP is ideal for fans of cooperative board games, especially those who enjoy deck building and strategic gameplay. The game’s unique mechanics and time travel theme make it a compelling addition to any board game collection. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy complex puzzles and dynamic gameplay, but may not be the best fit for those seeking quick, straightforward games. The solo version is also well-adapted, offering a similar level of challenge and strategy as the multiplayer version.

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