Molly House (2024) Board Game

Molly House is a board game set in the 18th century London, revolving around the clandestine gathering places where homosexual men could socialize and engage in activities frowned upon by society at the time. The game takes its name from these real-life establishments, known as “molly houses.”

Game Components of Molly House

Cards: Vice cards representing gestures, desires, and encounters frowned upon by the Society for the Reformation of Manners.

Constable Cards: Cards that prompt players to reveal certain cards, leading to potential persecution.

Guilt Tokens: Tokens that lower a player’s final score if they choose not to renounce their desires.

Player Pieces: Wooden pawns and metal pawns for player representation.

Dice: Custom-designed dice with marbling effects and specific designs for movement and gameplay.

Game Mat: A printed design mat for rolling dice and playing festivity cards.

How To Setup Molly House

To set up Molly House, players begin by drafting hands of vice cards. The game starts when a player plays a molly card at Mother Clap’s, setting a collective goal that the table must meet for the party to be successful. Players arrange their cards and components on the game mat, ready to begin the rounds of play aimed at fulfilling the collective goal while navigating the risks of discovery and persecution.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players draft hands of vice cards to host festivities and meet collective goals.

Collective Goal Setting: A molly card sets a collective goal for the party’s success.

Constable Encounters: Constables patrol the streets, prompting players to reveal cards and potentially take guilt tokens.

Gossip Pile: Unselected cards enter the gossip pile, threatening the molly house’s discovery.

Informers: Players can become informers to undermine the community and win by destroying the molly house.

Fluid Roles: Players’ identities are fluid, and roles can change throughout the game without predetermined characters.

Player Experience

Playing Molly House is an immersive experience that combines historical themes with interactive mechanics. Players must balance their desires with the risks of persecution, creating a dynamic of collaboration and potential betrayal. The game encourages strategic thinking and social interaction, as players navigate the delicate balance between hosting festive parties and avoiding the constables. The fluid roles and lack of overt dishonesty make the game refreshing and engaging, offering a unique twist on traditional secret role games.

Pros

Interactive and Immersive: Engaging gameplay that combines historical context with interactive mechanics.

Fluid Roles: Roles are not predetermined, adding a layer of complexity and unpredictability.

Balanced Mechanics: A balance between collaboration and coercion keeps the game exciting.

Historical Theme: Explores a lesser-known aspect of 18th century London, adding educational value.

Approachable and Playable: Easily playable within an hour or two, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

Cons

Complexity: May require multiple playthroughs to fully understand the mechanics.

Delays in Release: Originally set for 2024, the release has been pushed to early 2025.

Potential for Confusion: The fluid roles and multiple card interactions can be confusing for new players.

Personal Thoughts on Molly House

Molly House is ideal for players who enjoy historical themes, social deduction, and fluid role dynamics. It is particularly suited for those interested in queer history and the social struggles of the 18th century. The game’s unique mechanics and immersive gameplay make it a great addition to any board game collection, offering a fresh take on traditional secret role games. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking simple, straightforward gameplay due to its complex interactions and strategic depth.

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