The Curse of Misfortune Lane (2018) Board Game

The Curse of Misfortune Lane is a card game released in 2018, designed by Dave Collinson and published by Howling Hog Games. The game is set in a whimsical and spooky neighborhood where players must navigate through the challenges of Misfortune Lane to break the curse that haunts the town.

Game Components of The Curse of Misfortune Lane

8 Location Panel cards

7 Kid Character cards

3 Monster Character cards

55 Location cards

30 Monster cards

Artwork by Dave Collinson.

How To Setup The Curse of Misfortune Lane

To set up the game, start by placing the eight Location Panel cards in a row in the middle of the playing area. Then, distribute the Location cards to their corresponding Location Panel cards, shuffle each pile, and place them face-down under their respective panels. One player secretly selects a Monster Character card, while the other players choose their Kid Character cards. The Monster player sets up their initial inventory with Monster cards marked with the “Day” symbol and places two “Ladder” Monster cards on different Location decks. All other cards are set aside for the Night phase.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Phases: The game is divided into Day and Night phases.

Day Phase: Kids explore the town, gathering information and items to fight the monster.

Night Phase: The monster reveals itself, and the kids use their collected items to fight it.

Player Roles:

Kids: Press your luck, build your deck, and break the curse.

Monster: Stop the kids by littering the town with bad luck and misleading them.

Objective: The kids must defeat the monster by reducing its health to zero before the end of the seventh round. If the monster survives, it wins.

Player Experience

The game offers a unique blend of social deduction, push your luck, and cooperative gameplay. As the kids, players must navigate the town, avoiding traps and bad luck while gathering valuable items. The monster player must use subterfuge to disguise their actions and weaken the kids. The game can be challenging, especially with the random nature of card draws, which can significantly impact the outcome.

Pros

Unique Gameplay: Asymmetric gameplay with one player as the monster and others as kids.

Thematic Artwork: Colorful, comic book-style artwork by Dave Collinson.

Variable Player Powers: Each kid and monster character has special abilities.

Social Deduction: Guessing the monster’s identity and adjusting strategies accordingly adds a fun layer of complexity.

Cons

Random Luck: Bad luck with card draws can greatly hinder the kids’ chances.

Two-Player Limitations: The game is less enjoyable with only two players.

Learning Curve: Predicting the monster’s identity and adjusting strategies can be challenging.

Personal Thoughts on The Curse of Misfortune Lane

This game is ideal for those who enjoy asymmetric gameplay, social deduction, and a mix of luck and strategy. It’s a fun, thematic game that works best with a group of players, though it can be played with two. The game’s theme and artwork make it appealing, especially for fans of comic book-style visuals. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer games with less randomness and more control over outcomes.

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