The Shared Dream (2017) Board Game

The Shared Dream is a cooperative board game released in 2017, designed by Leandro Furlanetto and Phillip Simpson. The game is set in a world where dreams and nightmares collide, and players must work together to navigate through various scenarios and missions to unravel the mysteries within the dream world.

Game Components of The Shared Dream

Miniatures: Beautiful, fantasy-themed miniatures representing the players and nightmare creatures.

Modular Board: Comprising location tiles and street tiles that create a unique map for each game.

Scenario Cards: Determine the specific goals and challenges of each game session.

Dream Fragments: Cards used to force nightmare creatures into physical form.

Beast Strikes Cards: Cards that resolve attacks from nightmare creatures.

Echo Cards: Affect players’ stats and provide artifacts based on their dreams.

Conviction and Animus Cards: Used when players transform into their dream forms.

Dice: Blue and red dice used for resolving tests based on player stats (combat, magic, social, and movement).

Taint Cubes: Represent corruption or negative effects on locations.

How To Setup The Shared Dream

To set up the game, players first choose a scenario, which determines the specific goals and the number of location and street tiles to use. These tiles are shuffled and arranged to create a map, ensuring all locations are accessible. Some locations may start with taint cubes. Players then lay out various decks of cards specific to the scenario, including dream fragments, beast strikes, and scenario action cards. Each player selects their character and places their Ana pawn on the starting location.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Gameplay: Players work together to achieve the game’s objectives.

Action Points: Players take turns performing actions during the day phase.

Dice Rolling: Tests are conducted using blue and red dice, with results modified by player stats.

Modular Board: The board changes with each playthrough based on the scenario and number of players.

Storytelling: The game includes thematic story-driven elements through echo cards and scenario actions.

Objective: The primary goal is to gather dream fragments, force a nightmare beast into physical form, and then kill it to save the waking world.

Player Experience

In The Shared Dream, players take on the roles of powerful magic users known as Anas, who must navigate their shared nightmares that have come to life. The game combines cooperative gameplay with unique mechanics such as transforming into dream forms (Animus) to fight monsters. The echo cards and scenario actions add a layer of storytelling and thematic depth, making the game more engaging and purpose-driven. Players must balance their actions during the day phase with the nighttime phase, where enemies act, adding an element of urgency and strategy.

Pros

Unique Theme: Combines cooperative gameplay with a compelling narrative of shared nightmares.

Variable Setup: Each scenario and map setup offers a different experience.

Engaging Mechanics: The use of dice rolling, action points, and modular board keeps the game interesting.

Thematic Depth: Echo cards and scenario actions enhance the story and player engagement.

Balanced Complexity: Easy to learn but with enough strategy for experienced gamers.

Cons

Lengthy Gameplay: Games can take 90 to 120 minutes, which may be too long for some players.

Complexity for New Players: While not overly complicated, it still requires some time to understand the mechanics.

Dependent on Cooperation: Success requires effective teamwork, which can be challenging with less experienced players.

Personal Thoughts on The Shared Dream

The Shared Dream is ideal for players who enjoy cooperative games with a strong narrative focus and unique gameplay mechanics. It suits fans of fantasy and adventure games who appreciate the combination of strategy and storytelling. The game’s ability to balance simplicity with depth makes it appealing to both new and experienced gamers looking for a challenging yet engaging cooperative experience.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.