The Bloody Inn (2015) Board Game

The Bloody Inn, released in 2015, is a card game that takes place in a post-Napoleonic era where players take on the roles of innkeepers who must balance running a successful business with more sinister activities such as murder and robbery. The game is known for its unique combination of economic strategy and horror themes, making it a standout in the tabletop gaming world.

Game Components of The Bloody Inn

Main board representing the inn’s rooms, Wealth Track, and bistro

Traveler deck

Player components (keys, Peasant cards, 10 franc check, player aid card)

Accomplice cards

Annex cards

Corpse cards

Police cards

Money and check tokens

How To Setup The Bloody Inn

To set up the game, place the main board on the table and distribute the components to each player, including two Peasant cards, a 10 franc check, and a player aid card. Assemble and shuffle the traveler deck, placing it on the Entrance side of the board. Each player chooses a room to place their key token in, while gray neutral key tokens are placed in other rooms. The greediest player is given the first player card to initiate the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Actions: Each round, players take two actions from five possible actions:
– Bribe a Guest: Recruit new accomplices by discarding cards equal to the guest’s level.
– Kill a Guest: Discard accomplices to kill a guest and add the corpse to your tableau.
– Build an Annex: Use accomplices to build an annex for burying corpses or performing other actions.
– Bury a Body: Use accomplices to bury a corpse in an annex to earn money.
– Launder Money: Convert money on the Wealth Track into checks.

End of Round: Resolve any police investigations, bury unburied corpses, and pay accomplices their wages.

Game Objective: Amass the most francs and checks by the end of the game, which involves going through the traveler deck twice.

Player Experience

In The Bloody Inn, players take on the roles of corrupt innkeepers aiming to accumulate wealth by recruiting accomplices, killing guests, and disposing of the bodies while avoiding police scrutiny. The game requires strategic hand management and efficient use of the limited two actions per round. Players must balance recruiting and using accomplices, managing their wealth, and avoiding penalties from unburied corpses.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The horror theme and morally dubious actions create a unique and engaging gameplay experience.

Strategic Depth: The game offers deep strategic play despite its simple mechanics, requiring players to make tough choices every round.

High Replayability: With multiple paths to victory and the need to adapt to changing circumstances, the game remains fresh over multiple plays.

Quality Components: The game features well-designed components that serve multiple purposes, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

Cons

Limited Solo Play: The solo mode is not highly recommended as it lacks the competitive and interactive elements that make the game engaging.

Availability Issues: The game has been out of print for a few years, making it difficult to find.

Punishing Gameplay Loop: Mistakes, such as not burying corpses or getting caught by police, can significantly impact a player’s chances of winning.

Personal Thoughts on The Bloody Inn

The Bloody Inn is perfect for fans of horror-themed games and those who enjoy strategic, card-based gameplay. It is particularly suited for players who relish in making tough decisions and managing resources efficiently. However, due to its punishing gameplay loop and limited solo play, it may not be ideal for casual gamers or those looking for a more relaxed experience. Despite the challenges in finding a copy due to its availability issues, The Bloody Inn offers a unique and entertaining experience that is well worth the effort for the right audience.

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