The Shining (2020) Board Game

Based on the iconic horror movie by Stanley Kubrick, “The Shining” board game is a cooperative and traitor game designed by Prospero Hall. Released in 2020 by Mixlore, this game allows players to immerse themselves in the eerie world of the Overlook Hotel and experience the suspense and horror of the film in a tabletop setting.

Game Components of The Shining

Game board featuring the Overlook Hotel

Player tokens, including a plastic room key tag for room 237

Willpower tokens, some of which are numerical and others that are weapons

Event cards with varying effects and visions

Rulebook designed to look like Jack Torrance’s writings

Dice for navigating risks like the elevator

Health tokens to track player status

How To Setup The Shining

To set up the game, players place the folded board, which is backed with a painting of the Overlook Hotel, on the table. Each player chooses a token and places it at the starting location. The deck of event cards is shuffled, and two cards are dealt to each player face-down. These cards have a value range printed on the back but the exact value is unknown until revealed.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Mode: Players work together to survive four rounds while facing the hotel’s malevolent forces.

Hidden Traitor Mode: One player acts as a traitor working against the others.

Card Drawing: Players are dealt two cards each round, which they keep face-down.

Event Cards: Each round includes an event card that can have disorienting effects.

Willpower Tokens: Players gather tokens to build willpower, which can be numerical or include weapons.

Movement: Players move around the hotel, risking encounters like the elevator which requires a die roll.

Vision Reveal: At the end of each round, cards are flipped to reveal visions, and players must have enough willpower to remain stable.

Objective: The goal is to survive four rounds without any player losing three health points.

Player Experience

The Shining board game creates an immersive and thematic experience that captures the essence of the film’s horror and madness. Players are constantly on edge, managing their willpower to avoid succumbing to the hotel’s influences. The game’s design, including the rulebook and tokens, adds to the eerie atmosphere. The uncertainty of the card values and the potential for a hidden traitor among the players heightens the tension and mistrust.

Pros

Immersive Atmosphere: The game’s production is highly stylized and thoughtful, capturing the feel of the film.

Unique Mechanics: The combination of willpower management and unknown card values creates a unique gaming experience.

Short Playtime: The game does not take forever to play, making it accessible for a variety of players.

Hidden Traitor Mode: Adds an extra layer of complexity and mistrust to the game.

Cons

Limited Depth: The game focuses more on creating an atmosphere rather than complex gameplay mechanisms.

Simple Gameplay: The gameplay is not heavy on decisions or multi-faceted mechanisms.

Personal Thoughts on The Shining

The Shining board game is ideal for fans of horror and cooperative games who appreciate a thematic and atmospheric experience. It is particularly suited for those who enjoy games with a strong sense of tension and uncertainty. While it may not appeal to players seeking complex gameplay or deep strategic decisions, it offers a unique and engaging take on the horror genre that is both chilling and intriguing.

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