Vast: The Mysterious Manor (2019) Board Game

Vast: The Mysterious Manor is a board game that was released in in 2019. It is a standalone sequel to the popular game Vast: The Crystal Caverns. Designed by Kyle Ferrin and published by Leder Games, this game has garnered attention for its unique asymmetrical gameplay and immersive fantasy setting.

Game Components of Vast: The Mysterious Manor

Manor board: The central game board representing the mysterious manor.

Player boards and sheets: Each character has unique boards and sheets explaining their actions, abilities, and winning conditions.

Character figures: Figures for the Paladin, Spider, Skeletons, Warlock, and the Manor’s wraith.

Room tiles: Tiles that are added to the board as players explore the manor.

Action cards: Cards specific to each character that outline their actions and abilities.

Poltergeists and treasures: Tokens used by the Warlock to build their collection.

Seals and rituals: Components used by the Manor to perform rituals and seal other players inside.

How To Setup Vast: The Mysterious Manor

Setting up **Vast: The Mysterious Manor** involves preparing each player’s character board and sheet, placing the initial room tiles on the manor board, and distributing the necessary components to each player. The game starts with a largely unexplored manor, with dark tiles that need to be lit up and flipped over as players move around. Each character’s setup is detailed on their player sheet, which includes information on their unique actions and winning conditions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Asymmetric gameplay: Each character has completely different winning conditions and playstyles.

Paladin: Seeks to kill the Spider to achieve victory.

Spider: Aims to raise the terror level and escape the manor.

Skeletons: Focus on killing the Paladin and raiding the manor’s grounds.

Warlock: Targets dominating poltergeists and treasures.

Manor: Works to perform rituals to seal all other players inside.

Exploration: Players add room tiles to the board and light them up to reveal their contents.

Interaction: Characters interact with each other and the manor, often forming temporary alliances to hinder the progress of a winning player.

Dynamic board: The manor’s layout changes with each game, influenced by player actions and the manor’s own manipulations.

Player Experience

Playing **Vast: The Mysterious Manor** is an immersive and dynamic experience. The game is full of fleeting alliances and unexpected turns, keeping players engaged and tense. Each character’s unique mechanics and objectives ensure that no two games are the same. The initial games may feel clunky as players learn the rules, but the game rewards continued play with a rich and exciting experience. Table talk is encouraged as players negotiate and plan their moves to stop the leader from winning.

Pros

High replayability: Different characters and dynamic board ensure varied gameplay.

Immersion: The theme and mechanics work together to create a spooky and engaging atmosphere.

Clear player aids: Well-designed player boards and sheets make it easy to learn and remember character-specific rules.

Balanced gameplay: No single character can easily dominate the game, promoting interactive and strategic play.

Cons

Complexity: The game has a lot of mechanics and rules to learn, which can be overwhelming for new players.

Initial learning curve: The first few games may feel slow or clunky as players familiarize themselves with the rules.

Limited tileset: The random placement of room tiles, while keeping the game fresh, can become less exciting once the tileset is fully known.

Personal Thoughts on Vast: The Mysterious Manor

**Vast: The Mysterious Manor** is perfect for those who enjoy asymmetric gameplay and are looking for a game that offers a unique experience with each play. It’s ideal for groups with varied preferences, as each character role caters to different playstyles. For fans of games like **Root**, this game will feel familiar yet distinct, offering a fresh take on the asymmetric genre. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer simpler rules or are averse to complex, strategic gameplay.

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