Paper Tales (2017) Board Game

Paper Tales is a card-drafting game that was released in 2017 by Catch Up Games. Designed by Masato Uesugi and illustrated by Christine Alcouffe, it has quickly gained popularity in the board game community for its unique gameplay mechanics and engaging strategy.

Game Components of Paper Tales

Cards: Representing various units, buildings, and other kingdom enhancements.

Player Boards: For managing recruited units and resources.

Tokens: Used for tracking resources, health, and victory points.

Rulebook: Explaining the setup and gameplay mechanics.

How To Setup Paper Tales

To set up **Paper Tales**, each player selects a player board and starts with a set of basic resources and health tokens. The deck of cards is shuffled, and a certain number of cards are drawn based on the number of players. Each player is then dealt a hand of cards. The remaining cards are placed within reach of all players to be drafted during the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Simultaneous Card Drafting: Players draft five units or buildings each turn.

Resource Management: Players must have sufficient resources to recruit drafted units.

Combat: Units can engage in combat to earn victory points.

Building Construction: Players can build structures to gain additional points and benefits.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most victory points through successful combat and strategic building construction by the end of the four turns.

Player Experience

Playing **Paper Tales** involves a mix of strategic planning and tactical execution. Each turn, players must weigh the benefits of different units and buildings, ensuring they have the resources to recruit them. The game requires a balance between expanding your kingdom and defending it against potential threats. The simultaneous drafting mechanism adds a layer of excitement and unpredictability, as players must react quickly to the cards their opponents choose.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: The game combines resource management, combat, and building construction in an engaging way.

Quick Playtime: Games typically last around 30-45 minutes, making it a great fit for a quick strategy session.

Strategic Depth: Offers a good balance of strategy and luck, appealing to a wide range of players.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: New players may find the rules and various card interactions complex at first.

Limited Replayability: Some players might find the game repetitive after multiple plays due to the fixed set of cards.

Personal Thoughts on Paper Tales

**Paper Tales** is ideal for fans of card drafting and strategy games, particularly those who enjoy games like 7 Wonders. It is a great addition to the collection of any player looking for a game that requires strategic thinking and quick decision-making. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers who prefer simpler rules and less complexity.

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