Mini Rogue: A 9-Card Print-and-Play Game (2016) Board Game

Mini Rogue is a compact and portable 9-card print-and-play game that was released in 2016 by Corax Games. Designed by Paolo Di Stefano and Gabriel Gendron, the game offers a solo adventure experience in a small package. With its fantasy theme and quick gameplay, Mini Rogue has gained popularity among players looking for a challenging and engaging gaming experience.

Game Components of Mini Rogue: A 9-Card Print-and-Play Game

9 Cards: Representing monsters, hazards, treasures, bosses, dungeons, random rooms, and encounters.

Optional Mat: For organizing the game layout.

Rules: 8 pages detailing the gameplay.

Additional Components Needed: Four d6 dice and eight 8mm/0.31in cube tokens[5>.

How To Setup Mini Rogue: A 9-Card Print-and-Play Game

Setup is quick and straightforward. Players start by printing and cutting out the 9 cards. The rules provide a simple guide on how to arrange the cards to represent the dungeon and the player’s stats. The game can be set up in just a few seconds, making it ideal for quick, tense dungeon adventures.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Solo Play: Designed for one player, though a two-player variant is also possible.

Dungeon Crawling: Players delve into a deep dungeon to retrieve the mysterious ruby called the Og’s Blood.

Random Encounters: Cards are drawn to encounter monsters, hazards, and treasures.

Combat Resolution: Uses dice rolls to resolve battles.

Resource Management: Players manage health, defense, gold, and swords to progress through the dungeon.

Player Experience

Mini Rogue offers a compact yet immersive experience. The game’s minimalist design belies its depth and complexity, allowing players to engage in quick, thrilling adventures. The random nature of the encounters keeps each playthrough unique, making it highly replayable. The game caters to fans of roguelikes and roleplaying games, providing a taste of these genres in a condensed format.

Pros

Quick Setup: Takes seconds to set up.

High Replayability: Random encounters ensure each play is different.

Compact Design: Only 9 cards are needed.

Engaging Mechanics: Combines resource management and combat resolution.

Award-Winning: Has been awarded multiple awards in the BGG contest community.

Cons

Limited Components: Requires additional dice and tokens not included in the print-and-play version.

Simple Graphics: The print-and-play version may lack the polish of professionally printed cards.

Personal Thoughts on Mini Rogue: A 9-Card Print-and-Play Game

Mini Rogue is ideal for players who enjoy roguelikes and roleplaying games but are looking for a more streamlined experience. It’s perfect for solo gamers or those with limited time who still want to immerse themselves in a dungeon adventure. The game’s designers, Paolo di Stefano and Gabriel Gendron, have successfully distilled the essence of larger RPGs into a tiny, yet engaging package, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

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