Masque of the Red Death (2018) Board Game

Masque of the Red Death is a board game released in 2018, based on the famous short story by Edgar Allan Poe. The game takes place during a masquerade ball in the 19th century where players take on the roles of nobles trying to avoid the Red Death plague. Designed by Gris Grimly and published by IDW Games, the game has garnered attention for its unique theme and gameplay.

Game Components of Masque of the Red Death

Board: Featuring seven colored rooms matching those in Poe’s story.

Action Cards: Each player starts with an identical deck of nine action cards and one unique personality card.

Rumor Cards: Used to gain information about safe rooms.

Red Death Cards: Determine the rooms and times the Red Death will appear.

Player Boards: For planning movements, hidden behind screens.

Prince’s Movement Board: Shows the prince’s erratic movement around the abbey.

Tokens: For tracking popularity and movement.

3D Grandfather Clock: Aesthetic component, though somewhat pointless according to reviews.

How To Setup Masque of the Red Death

Setup involves shuffling the Red Death cards and placing two of them face down under each time slot (e.g., 12:00, 12:10) without revealing them. The remaining cards go into a rumor deck. Each player receives their deck of action cards and a unique personality card. The prince’s movement board is set up to show his initial position.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Action Phase: Players simultaneously play one action card per round, resolving them in order. Actions include gaining popularity, gathering rumors, and stealing cards from other players.

Popularity Track: Players move up the track by gaining popularity, but must avoid falling too far behind.

Rumor Gathering: Players collect cards to determine safe rooms and avoid the Red Death.

Prince’s Movement: Players must also keep track of the prince’s movement to gain popularity without spending actions.

Movement Planning: After all actions are resolved, players plan their movements for the night using tokens on their player boards.

Game Objective: Survive the night by avoiding the Red Death while maintaining high popularity.

Player Experience

In **Masque of the Red Death**, players experience a tense and strategic game where balancing popularity and gathering information is crucial. The game splits into two halves: before midnight, players focus on social standing and gathering rumors, and after midnight, they must navigate the abbey to avoid the Red Death. The game requires careful planning and adaptability, with a significant element of memory and deduction.

Pros

Engaging Theme: Based on a classic Edgar Allan Poe story, adding a layer of depth and intrigue.

Complex Strategy: Balancing popularity and information gathering creates a rich gameplay experience.

Interactive Mechanics: Players interact through card actions, rumors, and movement planning.

High Replayability: Different card draws and player movements ensure varied gameplay each time.

Cons

Luck-Based Endgame: Some players find the endgame too reliant on luck rather than strategy.

Graphics and Production Issues: Colors and icons on cards and boards can be confusing, and the game lacks polish in its design.

Limited Action Variety: Reviews suggest there is not enough variety in the actions available to players.

Personal Thoughts on Masque of the Red Death

**Masque of the Red Death** is ideal for fans of deduction games and those who enjoy a blend of social strategy and survival mechanics. While it has some flaws in design and production, the game offers a unique and engaging experience that captures the essence of Poe’s sinister tale. It is particularly suited for groups of 4-7 players looking for a game that challenges both strategic thinking and social maneuvering. Despite its flaws, the game’s unique mechanics and theme make it a compelling addition to any board game collection.

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