The Night (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

The Night is a board game released in 2022, designed by Jonathan Carnehl and featuring artwork by White Dog Games. It falls under the categories of Fighting, Horror, Movies/TV/Radio theme, Wargame, and Zombies, making it a thrilling and immersive experience for players. With a runtime of 60-120 minutes and suitable for players aged 13 and above, The Night offers a unique blend of action-packed gameplay and strategic decision-making.

Game Components of The Night Cage

Tiles representing the labyrinth, keys, gates, and monsters

Player cards

Nerve tokens

Candle tokens

Monster figures (Wax Eaters, Pit Fiends, Keepers, Pathless, and Dirge)

Tile holder resembling a giant candle

How To Setup The Night Cage

To set up the game, each player starts by placing their starting tile and the two tiles that connect to it. The initial 8-10 tiles are stacked with harmless path tiles to ensure no dangerous tiles are drawn at the beginning. Players place their characters on these starting tiles, and the game begins with the players navigating the darkness of the labyrinth.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together to escape the labyrinth.

Tile Placement: Players carefully place new tiles to avoid monsters and find keys.

Resource Management: Manage candlelight and Nerve tokens to aid in survival.

Objective: Each player must collect a key and reach a Gate tile together to win.

Monsters: Various monsters like Wax Eaters, Pit Fiends, and the Dirge can hinder progress.

Pits and Decaying Tiles: Some tiles crumble or turn into pits, complicating navigation.

Communication: Players must communicate to avoid leaving keys in the dark or encountering monsters.

Player Experience

Players find themselves in a pitch-black maze, relying on dim candlelight to navigate. The game is tense and strategic, requiring careful planning to avoid monsters and crumbling tiles. The dynamic nature of the labyrinth and the variety of monsters keep the game challenging and engaging. Players must work together, share resources, and coordinate their moves to increase their chances of escape.

Pros

Thematic and Immersive: The game’s horror theme is well-integrated with the mechanics.

High Replayability: The changing labyrinth and various monsters offer a different experience each play.

Engaging Cooperative Play: Encourages teamwork and strategic communication.

Variety of Challenges: Multiple types of monsters and decaying tiles add depth to the game.

Cons

Difficulty: Wins are reasonably difficult to achieve, which can be frustrating.

Complexity: The game has several rules and mechanics to manage.

Limited Beginner Guidance: New players might find the rules overwhelming initially.

Personal Thoughts on The Night Cage

The Night Cage is ideal for fans of cooperative games, tile-laying mechanics, and horror themes. It offers a unique and challenging experience that tests teamwork and strategic thinking. While it may not be the best fit for those seeking a simple, casual game, it is highly recommended for players who enjoy thematic, horror-inspired games with deep gameplay mechanics.

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