Vanished! (1990) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Vanished! is a board game designed by Uli Geissler and released in in 1990. The game is suitable for 2 to 6 players, with an ideal player count of 3 to 6. It falls under the categories of math, memory, and number games, and features mechanics such as betting and bluffing, memory, and set collection.

Game Components of Vanished!

Game board featuring a hotel with an elevator

Character cards

Movement tokens

Mystery cards

Player tokens and trackers

How To Setup Vanished!

To set up Vanished!, players first arrange the game board to represent the hotel. Each player chooses a token and places it at the starting position. The character cards are shuffled and distributed randomly among the players. The movement tokens and mystery cards are placed within reach of all players. The elevator is set to its starting floor, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Character Tracking: Players must keep tabs on the characters as they move through the elevator.

Movement Mechanics: Characters move based on the movement tokens drawn.

Mystery Solving: Players use mystery cards to gather clues about the missing characters.

Objective: The goal is to be the first player to solve the mystery of the vanished characters.

Player Experience

Playing Vanished is an engaging and challenging experience that requires attention to detail and quick thinking. Players must constantly update their knowledge of character locations and use the clues from the mystery cards to piece together what is happening. The game fosters a sense of suspense and mystery as players try to outdo each other in solving the puzzle.

Pros

Engaging Mystery: The game offers a compelling mystery to solve, keeping players engaged.

Interactive: Players interact with each other and the game components actively.

Develops Observation Skills: Enhances players’ observation and deduction skills.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for families and groups looking for a fun, puzzle-solving experience.

Cons

Complex Setup: Setting up the game can be somewhat complex and time-consuming.

Limited Replayability: Once the mystery is solved, the game may lose some of its appeal for repeat plays.

Requires Attention: Players need to stay focused throughout the game to keep track of characters.

Personal Thoughts on Vanished!

Vanished is ideal for those who enjoy puzzle-solving and detective work. It is a great game for families or groups of friends who are looking for a challenging yet fun experience. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer simpler, more straightforward games or those who do not enjoy mysteries and puzzles.

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