Bloodborne: The Card Game Review | A blood-hunting experience woven with cooperation and betrayal
The classic horror action video game "Bloodborne" is now a card game.
In this article, we'll thoroughly explain the actual gameplay and appeal of the game, and provide you with all the information you need to know before purchasing.
Game Basics
This card game is a perfect combination of cooperation and competition, based on the classic horror action video game "Bloodborne."
Bloodborne: The Card Game is a card game for 3-5 players .
Play time is 30-45 minutes and recommended for ages 14 and up .
It was designed by Eric M. Lang , a renowned board game designer (who has worked on many classic titles such as Blood Rage, X-COM, and Arcadia Quest).
The game's core mechanic is a balance between cooperation and competition .
Players take on the role of hunters and the game is set in the original Chalice Dungeon.
The goal is to collect blood echoes (victory points) by fighting monsters.
Basically, it is a game with a strong element of press your luck (risk management).
You need to always keep in mind the balance between the risks and rewards of continuing the battle.
Each player starts with the same base cards.
Upgrade your weapons and items as you progress through the game.
The overall rating on BoardGameGeek is 6.9 (4,100 ratings).
The complexity level is 2.05/5 , and the rules are relatively easy to remember.
The appeal of Bloodborne: The Card Game
The biggest appeal of this game is the unique player relationships, in which players must cooperate to survive, but are ultimately competitors.
A fine balance of cooperation and competition
The game features a unique player relationship in which players must cooperate to survive, but are ultimately competitors .
Here's what Meeple Mountain has to offer:
"These mechanical mechanisms combine to create a harmony never before heard in a board game."
Players must cooperate in monster battles.
However, at the same time, they are in competition with each other to acquire blood echoes.
This "frenemies" relationship is important.
It creates tense card choices every turn.
Strategic Risk Management System
The core of the game is the banking system, which beautifully recreates the original element of "losing blood echoes upon death."
At the core of the game, Echoes of Blood's banking system is well designed.
Players place blood echoes earned in battle into the "Blood Echoes" box.
But if you die, you lose everything.
There are certain conditions for safe storage.
You must play a Hunter's Dream card to move it to "Banked Blood Echoes."
A review of Boards and Booze states:
"The risk vs. reward is managed in a sophisticated way, and every round you're left with a tough decision: should I continue or should I withdraw?"
This tense risk management is what keeps players hooked.
Elements of reading each other's opponents and psychological warfare
The simultaneous play system allows for a psychological battle of reading your opponent's moves, allowing you to enjoy the fun of reading each other's moves.
The simultaneous card play system allows for a psychological battle of reading your opponent's actions.
Each player secretly selects a card and then reveals it all at once.
If the first player defeats the monster, the second player will not receive the blood echo.
In addition, there are special cards called Transform cards .
This allows you to decide your own actions after revealing other players' cards.
This leads to a lot of guessing as to who will use Transform and when.
The review states:
"It's a game that has elements of a chicken race, where you have to read your opponent's moves and think about tactics."
The atmosphere of the original is beautifully reproduced
With high-quality components and a faithful reproduction of the world, this is a finish that will satisfy even fans of the original work.
The quality of the components is also highly rated.
Boards and Booze gives it this rave review:
"Thick card player boards, chunky blood echo counters, and high-quality cards that really let the artwork stand out."
The reviews include comments like:
- "The artwork on the cards is so cool, it's a must-have for Bloodborne fans."
- "The names and designs of weapons and enemies are faithful to the original."
These facts show that the series has received strong support from fans of the original work .
Concerns and solutions
The base game does have some challenges, but these can be overcome with expansions and ingenuity.
Strength of luck element
The attack system, which relies entirely on dice rolls and luck, has been an issue for some.
Attacking with dice rolls is entirely down to luck.
As described in Meeple Mountain:
"Even if you roll green dice, if you get consecutive bursts (additional damage), even a fully-charged 8-stamina Hunter can be killed in one hit."
Countermeasure: However, there is a design philosophy that says, "Since sufficient information is given, any failure is due to your own error in judgment."
The real fun of the game lies in the strategic decision of whether to take risks or play it safe.
You can enjoy the game by creating tactics that take luck into account.
Font size issues
The font size on the cards is small and can be difficult to read.
Boards and Booze point out that the font size is a little small.
Solution: This can be resolved by the following methods:
- Brighten the table lighting
- Have a magnifying glass ready if necessary
- Setting up your playing environment
Also, as you get used to it, you will remember the card effects, and it will gradually become less of a problem.
Recommended for these people and occasions
It is designed to be enjoyed by a wide range of people, from fans of the original to intermediate players.
Fan of the original work/Horror game lover
Faithful reproductions of weapons and monsters allow you to immerse yourself in the world of the original.
Intermediate players looking for a moderately heavy game
It has an exquisite balance, neither too light nor too heavy, and is designed to be easy to understand even for beginners.
The design, with a complexity level of 2.05/5 , achieves an excellent balance of "not too light and not too heavy."
Meeple Mountain describes it as "an intuitive game with an easy-to-understand ruleset," and it's designed to be easy to understand even for board game beginners .
Situations where you want a rich experience in a short amount of time
With a play time of 30-45 minutes, it offers ease of use suitable for a variety of situations.
The 30-45 minute play time is ideal for:
- A light opener for game night
- Taking a breather between heavy games
- Limited time weekday evening session
Boards and Booze rated it as "quick play with plenty of replay value."
A group that wants to enjoy psychological warfare and reading each other's minds
The psychological battle that reveals the player's true nature is fascinating, as you can enjoy the balance of trust and betrayal.
Here's how a review of Boards and Booze puts it:
"Doubt and selfishness prevailed, and we died needlessly: the beast within emerged."
In this way, you can enjoy a psychological battle in which the true nature of the player is revealed .
This is especially recommended for groups who enjoy a balance of trust and betrayal.
Family gaming experience
The game has a cooperative element, so it is designed so that experienced players can enjoy the game while supporting beginners.
Although the target age is 14 years and older, the rules themselves are simple, so any family who doesn't mind horror elements can enjoy it.
The game is designed with cooperative elements, allowing experienced players to support beginners while they play.
The game has received the following reviews:
"It's lightweight yet offers a wide variety of options (including expansions: 13 final bosses, 15 dungeon bosses, 35 regular monsters, and 70 upgrades) that will keep you entertained for a long time." (BGG excerpt)
This is an excellent game that combines a moderate level of strategy with ease of play .
Even if you're not familiar with the original, you'll enjoy this unique gaming experience, which offers a wonderful mix of cooperation and competition.
Link to the official rulebook
(The file size is very large (72MB), so it may take some time to display.)
Check the product on the online store page
Free shipping throughout Japan. Orders placed before 3pm will be shipped the same day.
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