Nefarious (2011) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Nefarious is a card game released in 2011, designed by Donald X. Vaccarino, known for creating the popular game Dominion. The game is published by Ascora Games and features a unique blend of humor and science fiction themes. With a runtime of 30-45 minutes and suitable for players aged 8 and above, Nefarious offers a quick and engaging gameplay experience for 2-6 players.

Game Components of Nefarious

Action Cards: Each player has four action cards representing Espionage, Invent, Research, and Work.

Invention Cards: These cards feature various mad scientist-themed inventions with different costs, effects, and victory point values.

Spy Tokens: Each player starts with five spy tokens to use for espionage.

Money Tokens: Used for purchasing inventions.

Twist Cards: Introduce random changes to the game rules.

Player Boards: For tracking inventions and victory points.

How To Setup Nefarious

To set up Nefarious, each player receives $10 worth of money, five spy tokens, and three invention cards. Each player also gets the four action cards. The invention deck is shuffled, and two twist cards are drawn and revealed, which may introduce special rules or modifications for the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

**Game Objective: The goal is to accumulate 20 victory points by inventing valuable inventions.
**Gameplay Mechanics:

Simultaneous Action Selection: Players choose one action card each round (Espionage, Invent, Research, Work).

Espionage: Place a spy token on an action to earn money when other players perform that action.

Invent: Spend money to build an invention, which provides victory points and possibly additional effects.

Research: Draw an invention card and receive $2.

Work: Earn $4.

Twist Cards: Introduce random changes or restrictions to the game.

Player Experience

Nefarious is a game that balances strategy with a dash of luck, especially due to the random invention cards and twist mechanics. Players must carefully manage their resources, predict their opponents’ moves to maximize espionage gains, and make strategic decisions about which inventions to build. The game is relatively fast-paced, with short rounds that keep players engaged.

Pros

Fast-Paced: Rounds are quick, keeping the game moving.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

Humorous Theme: Mad scientist-themed inventions add a fun and quirky element.

Simultaneous Action: Reduces downtime and keeps all players involved.

Cons

Limited Strategic Depth: Decisions are heavily influenced by the cards drawn, reducing long-term planning.

Luck-Dependent: The game’s outcome can be significantly affected by the cards you draw.

Replayability Concerns: Some players find the game too repetitive without the twist cards.

Personal Thoughts on Nefarious

Nefarious is ideal for casual gamers or those new to the hobby. It serves as a gateway game due to its simple and intuitive mechanics. While it lacks the complexity and depth that experienced gamers might seek, it offers a light-hearted and entertaining experience perfect for a fun evening with friends. The twist cards add some variability, but the core game remains straightforward and easy to grasp.

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