Shahrazad (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Shahrazad is a solo or two-player cooperative card game that was released in 2015 by Capsicum Games. The game is designed by Yuo and features artwork by Kotori Neiko. It falls into the categories of card game and fantasy, with gameplay centered around hand management and pattern building.

Game Components of Shahrazad

22 oversized story tiles numbered from 0 to 21

2 scoring tiles

Rules booklet

The tiles feature unique takes on iconic fairy-tales and are fully illustrated by Kotori Neiko.

How To Setup Shahrazad

To set up Shahrazad, shuffle the 22 story tiles face down and deal two tiles to each player. In a solo game, the player starts with two tiles in their hand. The remaining tiles form the draw pile. The game begins with an empty tableau where players will place their tiles according to specific placement rules.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Tile Placement: Players place tiles in a tableau, either in empty areas or by replacing existing tiles.

Hand Management: Players manage a hand of two tiles, drawing a new tile after each placement.

Pattern Building: The goal is to build a coherent story by placing tiles in ascending numerical order and maintaining color continuity.

Cooperative Game: In the two-player mode, players work together without discussing their moves, aiming for a shared goal.

Game Objective

The objective is to construct a story that pleases the eccentric king by placing tiles in a way that maximizes score points. Points are awarded for continuous color groups and deducted for tiles out of order or gaps in the tableau.

Player Experience

Playing Shahrazad feels like solving a puzzle, where the challenge is to arrange the tiles in a way that tells a coherent story. The game is simple to learn but requires strategic thinking to score well. The solo version resembles playing solitaire, while the two-player cooperative mode adds a communal element, although players cannot discuss their moves. The game’s beautiful artwork and quick gameplay make it an enjoyable and relaxing experience.

Pros

Beautiful Artwork: The tiles are fully illustrated and visually appealing.

Simple yet Challenging: Easy to learn but requires strategic thinking.

Quick Gameplay: Games last between 10 to 20 minutes.

Accessible: Suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Portable: The game’s compact size makes it ideal for travel or casual play.

Cons

Limited Interaction in Cooperative Mode: Players cannot discuss their moves, which can make the cooperative game feel less interactive.

Solvable Puzzle: The game’s puzzle nature means it can be solved with enough play, potentially reducing replay value.

Column Height Restriction: The two-player mode has stricter column height limits, making it harder to score well.

Personal Thoughts on Shahrazad

Shahrazad is an excellent choice for fans of abstract games, strategists, and those who enjoy solitaire or quick cooperative games. It is particularly suited for solo play or as a relaxing activity for couples. The game’s beauty and simplicity make it accessible to a wide audience, including younger gamers and seasoned players alike. If you’re looking for a game that is easy to learn, quick to play, and offers a fun puzzle to solve, Shahrazad is a great addition to your collection.

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