The Plum Island Horror (2023) Board Game

The Plum Island Horror is a board game released in 2023 by designer Terry Leeds and published by GMT Games. It falls under the horror and wargame categories, and it offers a cooperative and solo gameplay experience. The game is set on Plum Island, a real-life location with a dark history that adds to the eerie atmosphere of the game.

Game Components of The Plum Island Horror

One Mounted Game Board (22” x 34”)

One Rulebook

One Reference Guide

124 Playing Cards

Six Player Faction Mats

Two NPC/Horror Mutations Faction Mats

Five Player Aids (4 Action Cards, 1 VIP Civilians/ Quick Reference)

One Game Track Sideboard

Two Cloth Bags

Six Custom Combat Dice

70 Murder of Horrors Tiles

39 Cardboard Standees with Plastic Stands

83 Wooden Cubes

210 Cardboard Markers.

How To Setup The Plum Island Horror

Setting up The Plum Island Horror can be quite extensive due to the numerous components. The game includes an 8-fold board that is quite large, requiring significant table space. Players must punch out various standees, tokens, and markers, and organize the different decks of cards (Events, Search, and Fate cards). The setup also involves placing the game track sideboard and preparing the cloth bags for token draws. While the setup process is detailed, it is necessary to ensure all components are correctly placed for gameplay to proceed smoothly.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Phases: The game is divided into three phases: Hunger Phase (only in night rounds), Activity Phase, and End Phase.

Token Draw System: Players draw tokens from a bag, which includes player tokens, Fate tokens (spawn Horrors), and Impending Doom tokens (draw Event cards).

Faction Management: Each player controls one of six unique factions, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. In solo mode, the player controls two factions.

Objective: The goal is to rescue civilians and contain the horrific outbreak over three days (nine rounds). Players must prevent Horrors from overrunning the island and manage resources to keep their factions alive.

Player Experience

The Plum Island Horror offers a complex and immersive gaming experience. Players must coordinate their actions carefully, especially in cooperative mode, to optimize their faction’s strengths and mitigate its weaknesses. The solo mode is particularly challenging as the player must manage two factions and handle all the horror mechanics solo. The game is praised for its thematic depth and tactical challenge, but criticized for its long setup and teardown times, and the potential for repetitive gameplay after initial victories.

Pros

Immersive Theme: The game provides a highly thematic and engaging horror experience.

Tactical Depth: It offers complex gameplay with many strategic choices.

Variety in Factions: Each faction has unique abilities and strengths.

Challenging Solo Mode: The solo mode is engaging and challenging, requiring careful management of two factions.

Cons

Long Setup and Teardown: The game requires a significant amount of time for setup and teardown.

Complex Rules: There are many rules and subrules to learn, which can be overwhelming.

Potential for Repetitive Gameplay: After initial victories, the game can become less challenging and repetitive.

Graphic Design Issues: Some players have noted graphic design issues that can affect gameplay experience.

Personal Thoughts on The Plum Island Horror

The Plum Island Horror is ideal for fans of cooperative and solo board games, particularly those who enjoy tower-defense and survival mechanics. It is suited for players who appreciate complex rules and deep strategic gameplay. However, it may not be the best fit for those looking for a quick setup or a game with simpler rules. The game’s immersive theme and tactical challenges make it a standout in the horror and cooperative game genres, but its complexity and setup time should be carefully considered before purchasing.

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