Tales from the Loop: The Board Game (2022) Board Game

Tales from the Loop: The Board Game is based on the popular tabletop role-playing game and art book of the same name by Simon Stålenhag. It is set in an alternate 1980s where mysterious machines and strange creatures exist in a small town that sits atop the Loop, a huge underground particle accelerator.

Game Components of Tales from the Loop: The Board Game

Game Board: Depicting Stockholm’s Mälar Islands.

Character Boards: 8 boards for each player.

Machine Sheets: 6 sheets featuring machines from the Loop.

Event Location Tiles: 9 tiles representing various locations.

First Player Token: To determine the starting player.

Enigma and Insight Dials: To track progress and challenges.

Scenario Cards: 7 cards with unique scenarios.

Diary Cards: 38 cards, one set per scenario, guiding the story.

School Cards: 20 cards with daily school obligations.

Chore Cards: 20 cards with tasks players must complete.

Rumor Cards: 111 cards providing investigative leads.

Machine Response Cards: 12 cards detailing machine behaviors.

Item Cards: 20 cards with items and artifacts.

Anomaly Cards: 20 cards introducing unexpected challenges.

Dial Mounts and Summary Sheets: For tracking and summarizing game state.

Miniatures: Pre-assembled (or pre-painted in the deluxe edition) of the machines.

How To Setup Tales from the Loop: The Board Game

To set up the game, players start by placing the game board, which represents the Mälar Islands. Each player chooses a character board and places their corresponding kid standee on the board. The First Player token is determined, and the necessary cards (School, Chore, Rumor, etc.) are shuffled and placed in their respective areas. The Enigma and Insight dials are set to their starting positions. Players then select a scenario, which dictates the specific setup and objectives for the game. The game components are organized with crevices on the boards to prevent cubes and cards from getting misplaced.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Gameplay: Players work together to investigate and solve mysteries.

Scenario-Based: Seven scenarios in the base game, each with unique objectives and challenges.

Time Management: Players have Time Cubes to manage their actions, which can be limited by negative effects.

School Phase: Players handle school obligations, new Rumors, and moving machines.

Adventure Phase: Players explore, address Rumors, trade items, and interact with machines.

End Phase: Cleanup, including checking chores, healing, and modifying Favor.

Objective: Solve the mystery within the given number of rounds (six or twelve) while balancing school and home life.

Player Experience

Players dive into a nostalgic yet eerie world, navigating the complexities of being kids with responsibilities while uncovering the secrets of the Loop. The game is rich in thematic detail, with artwork and miniatures that bring Simon Stålenhag’s vision to life. However, the game’s rules can be overly complicated, requiring frequent references to the rulebook, which may slow down gameplay. Despite this, the cooperative nature and the variety of scenarios and mysteries keep the game engaging and challenging.

Pros

Engaging Theme: A unique blend of sci-fi and nostalgia set in an alternate 1980s Sweden.

Cooperative Gameplay: Encourages teamwork and strategy among players.

Variety of Scenarios: Multiple scenarios and a Mystery Islands mode offer replayability.

Detailed Components: High-quality miniatures and artwork enhance the game experience.

Time Management Mechanics: Adds a layer of complexity and realism to the gameplay.

Cons

Complex Rulebook: The rules are extensive and can be difficult to learn and reference.

If/Then Decision Points: Numerous conditional rules can slow down gameplay.

Overwhelming Number of Components: Managing all the cards, tokens, and miniatures can be challenging.

Personal Thoughts on Tales from the Loop: The Board Game

Tales from the Loop: The Board Game is ideal for fans of cooperative games, science fiction, and those who appreciate a rich, thematic experience. It is suited for players aged 12 and above, and the gameplay can accommodate 1-5 players. While the game’s complexity may deter some, it offers a deeply immersive and challenging experience for those willing to invest the time to learn its intricacies. If you enjoy games like Scythe or other cooperative RPG-board game hybrids, this might be the perfect addition to your collection.

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