Tanto Cuore (2009) Board Game

Tanto Cuore is a deck-building card game that was released in in 2009. It was designed by Masayuki Kudou and published by Arclight Games. The game is known for its unique theme of maids serving the master of the house, which has proven to be popular among fans of anime and manga culture. Tanto Cuore has since spawned several expansions, adding new cards and mechanics to the base game.

Game Components of Tanto Cuore

Card deck consisting of various maid characters

Love cards serving as currency

Private Quarters cards

Illness and bad habit cards

Chambermaid cards

Victory Point (VP) cards

Playmats and deck boxes (available separately)

How To Setup Tanto Cuore

To set up Tanto Cuore, each player starts with a basic deck of cards. The main deck is shuffled and a set number of cards are drawn to form the market area where players can recruit maids. Each player also receives a starting hand of cards. The game area is organized with spaces for the market, employ area, and each player’s private quarters.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deck-building: Players collect and add maid cards to their deck.

Chambermaiding: Players can move maids into their private quarters to score victory points.

Love Cards: Used as currency to employ maids.

Illness and Bad Habits: Cards that can disrupt opponents’ strategies.

Game Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most victory points by employing and chambering maids, as well as collecting sets of specific maid cards.

Player Experience

Playing Tanto Cuore involves strategic deck-building and management, with a touch of social interaction through “take that” cards. The game’s anime theme and quirky artwork can add a layer of humor and charm, though some players might find the artwork suggestive. The gameplay is engaging, with players needing to balance recruiting new maids, managing their deck, and disrupting their opponents.

Pros

Solid Deck-Building Mechanics: Similar to Dominion, but with unique twists.

Player Interaction: Includes “take that” cards for added social dynamics.

Theme and Artwork: Unique and engaging, though may not appeal to all players.

Replayability: Various maid cards and strategies offer multiple playthroughs.

Cons

Card Quality: Some players note that the cards could have more texture to prevent slipping.

Theme Sensitivity: The anime theme and artwork might not be suitable for all audiences.

Luck Element: The draw of cards can introduce an element of luck, affecting strategy.

Personal Thoughts on Tanto Cuore

Tanto Cuore is for players who enjoy deck-building games and are open to a unique anime-themed setting. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate strategic gameplay with a bit of humor and social interaction. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer more serious or traditional themes, or those who are sensitive to suggestive artwork. Overall, it offers a fun and engaging experience for fans of the genre.

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