Once Upon a Time: The Storytelling Card Game (1993) Board Game

Once Upon a Time: The Storytelling Card Game was first released in 1993 by Atlas Games. It was designed by Richard Lambert, Andrew Rilstone, and James Wallis, with artwork by Richard Lambert, Florence Magnin, Sophie Mounier, and Omar Rayyan. The game is a card-based storytelling game where players collaboratively create a fairy tale using the cards in their hands.

Game Components of Once Upon a Time: The Storytelling Card Game

Storytelling Cards: Represent elements from fairy tales such as objects, people, events, and aspects (e.g., crown, key, stepmother, a death, time passes).

Happy Ever After Cards: Each player receives one of these cards, which is their secret ending to aim for.

Interrupt Cards: Special cards that allow players to interrupt the storyteller and take over the narrative.

How To Setup Once Upon a Time: The Storytelling Card Game

To set up the game, each player is dealt a hand of Storytelling Cards and one Happy Ever After Card. The number of Storytelling Cards varies based on the number of players: 10 cards for 2 players, 8 cards for 3 players, 7 cards for 4 players, 6 cards for 5 players, and 5 cards for 6 or more players. The first storyteller is determined by methods such as age, drawing a card, or other agreed-upon criteria.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Storytelling: Players take turns telling a story using the elements on their cards.

Interrupting: Players can interrupt the current storyteller if they have a card that matches an element mentioned in the story.

Hand Management: Players aim to use all their Storytelling Cards to guide the plot towards their Happy Ever After ending.

Objective: The game is won by the player who uses all their Storytelling Cards and concludes the story with their Happy Ever After Card.

Player Experience

In Once Upon a Time, players collaborate to create a cohesive fairy tale while competing to achieve their individual story endings. The game encourages creativity and improvisation, as players must think on their feet to incorporate their cards into the ongoing narrative. The dynamic of interrupting each other adds a fun and unpredictable element, making each game unique and engaging.

Pros

Encourages Creativity: Players must think creatively to integrate their cards into the story.

Interactive and Dynamic: The interrupt mechanism keeps players engaged and active throughout the game.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for a wide age range, from children to adults.

Educational Value: Enhances storytelling and narrative skills, beneficial in classroom settings.

Cons

Dependent on Player Engagement: The quality of the game experience can vary based on the creativity and participation of the players.

Potential for Confusion: With multiple players interrupting and adding to the story, it can sometimes become confusing to follow the narrative.

Personal Thoughts on Once Upon a Time: The Storytelling Card Game

This game is perfect for those who enjoy storytelling, creativity, and interactive games. It is an excellent choice for families, educational settings, and groups of friends looking for a fun and engaging activity. While it can be enjoyed by players of all ages, it particularly shines in settings where creativity and teamwork are valued. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer more structured or competitive games without a strong creative element.

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