Obsession (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Obsession is a board game released in 2018 by designer Dan Hallagan and published by Kayenta Games. It is set in the post-Napoleonic era and revolves around players managing a grand estate in the English countryside. The game has received critical acclaim for its unique gameplay mechanics and immersive theme.

Game Components of Obsession

Player Boards: Each player has a board representing their house, with various rooms and areas.

Tiles: Service tiles, level one tiles, and hybrid improvement tiles (introduced in the 2nd edition) that represent different rooms and outdoor spaces.

Cards: Family member cards, guest cards, and theme cards, each with unique abilities and flavor text.

Staff Meeples: Used for worker placement.

Reputation Points: Track players’ social standing.

Money and Resources: Represented by cardboard coins and other tokens.

Storage System: An 8-box storage system for organizing components.

How To Setup Obsession

Setting up Obsession involves several steps:

Each player selects a player board and places the starting tiles and staff meeples accordingly.

Shuffle and distribute the family member cards and guest cards.

Prepare the tile market and the builders’ market reserve.

Draw the initial theme cards and set up the event deck.
The game includes a quick start rule book and a comprehensive glossary book to facilitate setup and understanding of the rules.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Key Mechanics

Deck-Building: Players manage their deck of family member and guest cards.

Worker-Placement: Staff meeples are used to perform various actions in the house.

Resource Management: Managing money, reputation points, and tiles to enhance the house.

Event Hosting: Players host events to gain rewards, money, and reputation points.

Game Objective

The objective is to accumulate the most victory points by hosting successful events, managing staff, and improving the house. The game ends after 16 or 19 rounds, depending on the chosen length, and the player with the most victory points wins.

Player Experience

Playing Obsession feels highly thematic and immersive, with a strong focus on social activities and managing a Victorian-era household. Players must carefully plan their actions, ensuring they have the right staff and guests available to host events. The game offers a satisfying experience of building mini-engines of efficiency and enjoying the rewards of successful events. The dedication to narrative is evident in every card and tile, making the game feel like a living, breathing social ecosystem.

Pros

Highly Thematic: The game deeply immerses players in the Victorian era.

Engaging Mechanics: Combines deck-building, worker-placement, and resource management effectively.

Satisfying Gameplay: Hosting events and managing staff can lead to very rewarding moments.

Beautiful Presentation: High-quality components and elegant design that fits the era.

Smooth Solo Mode: The solo mode is well-implemented and maintains the core gameplay experience.

Cons

Random Draw: The random draw of tiles and guests can sometimes disrupt strategy.

Historical Setting Critique: The game’s depiction of the patriarchal and misogynistic historical setting might be off-putting for some players.

Complexity: New players might find the game’s disposition and rules somewhat troublesome.

Personal Thoughts on Obsession

Obsession is ideal for fans of Jane Austen and the Victorian era, as well as those who appreciate a strong narrative in their board games. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy Euro-style games with deep strategic layers but may not be the best fit for those who prefer games with less randomness. The game’s unique blend of mechanics and its beautifully crafted components make it a standout in the board game community, appealing to both casual and hardcore gamers alike.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.