UNDO: Curse from the Past (2019) Board Game

UNDO: Curse from the Past is a cooperative deduction game designed by Michael Palm and Lukas Zach, known for their innovative storytelling games. Released in 2019 by Pegasus Spiele, this game falls under the adventure, card game, deduction, and murder/mystery categories, offering players a unique and immersive gameplay experience.

Game Components of UNDO: Curse from the Past

13 scenario cards

Decision cards with three choices each

Points system for tracking progress

Rulebook

Story resolution cards for post-game explanation

How To Setup UNDO: Curse from the Past

To set up the game, players start by reading the initial scenario card that describes the death of the protagonist. This card sets the stage for the players’ mission to alter the past. Players then decide together in which order they want to visit key moments in the protagonist’s past, each represented by a scenario card. The game’s simplicity allows for quick setup, making it ready to play within minutes.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Decision Making: Players make decisions at each scenario card, choosing from three options.

Time Travel: Players travel back in time to influence the protagonist’s fate.

Point System: Decisions are tracked using a point system, affecting the final outcome.

Game Objective

The primary objective is to change the course of events to prevent the protagonist’s death by making the right decisions at critical points in the past.

Player Experience

Players experience a narrative-driven adventure where they collectively decide how to alter the past. However, the game lacks a complex decision tree, making each decision somewhat isolated and less interconnected. This simplicity can make the game feel less engaging and less emotionally impactful compared to other story-based games. Players may find the decisions too obvious, reducing the excitement and speculation that comes with more complex narrative games.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple mechanics make it accessible to new players.

Quick Playtime: Games are relatively short, allowing for multiple playthroughs.

Multiple Scenarios: Different stories offer variety, though the core mechanics remain the same.

Cons

Limited Decision Tree: Decisions do not have a significant chain reaction effect.

Lack of Emotional Impact: Wrong decisions result in mathematical penalties rather than emotional consequences.

Replay Value: Knowledge of previous playthroughs can make subsequent games less engaging.

Personal Thoughts on UNDO: Curse from the Past

**UNDO: Curse from the Past** is best suited for players who enjoy light, story-driven experiences without the complexity of extensive decision trees. It is ideal for those looking for a bite-sized narrative game that can be completed in a single evening. However, players seeking deeper, more emotionally charged experiences or those who enjoy complex puzzles and speculative gameplay might find this game lacking.

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