Sanctuary: Thieves World (1982) Board Game

Sanctuary: Thieves World is a board game released in 1982, based on the popular Thieves World series of fantasy novels. Designed by Gerald O’Malley and Walter Velez, the game immerses players in the dark and dangerous city of Sanctuary, known for its thieves, assassins, and other unsavory characters.

Game Components of Sanctuary: Thieves World

Game board depicting the city of Sanctuary

Player pawns representing different characters

Dice for gameplay mechanics

Cards for events and encounters

Money tokens for economic aspects

Various tokens and markers for tracking progress

How To Setup Sanctuary: Thieves World

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Each player chooses a character pawn and takes the corresponding player board.

Shuffle the event and encounter cards and place them facedown.

Distribute starting money tokens to each player.

Roll to determine the starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Sanctuary: Thieves World, players take on the role of characters navigating the treacherous streets of Sanctuary. Through dice rolling and strategic decision-making, players must complete quests, acquire wealth, and overcome obstacles to become the most successful in the city.

The game objective is to amass the most wealth and power by the end of the game. This can be achieved through completing quests, acquiring valuable items, and outsmarting opponents.

Player Experience

Pros:

Immersive theme and setting based on the Thieves World novels

Strategic depth with economic and combat mechanics

Replayability with different character abilities and quest options

Cons:

Steep learning curve for new players

Some luck involved with dice rolling

Lengthy gameplay with a 120-minute runtime

Personal Thoughts on Sanctuary: Thieves World

Sanctuary: Thieves World offers a rich and immersive experience for fans of the fantasy genre. The game components are well-designed, and the thematic elements are well-executed. However, the game may not appeal to casual gamers due to its complexity and length.

In terms of pricing and availability, Sanctuary: Thieves World may be harder to find as it is a vintage game released in in 1982. Those who enjoy in-depth strategy and thematic gameplay will find this game worth their time. However, casual gamers or those looking for a quick and easy game may want to skip this one.

Overall, Sanctuary: Thieves World is a unique and engaging board game that offers a deep dive into the world of Sanctuary for those willing to invest the time and effort.

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