Introduction
Gloom is a card game created by Keith Baker and published by Atlas Games in 2005. It is a unique game that challenges players to make their characters as miserable as possible before killing them off. The game has gained a cult following among gamers who enjoy its dark humor and macabre themes.
Gameplay
In Gloom, each player controls a family of misfits who are trying to outdo each other in terms of misery and misfortune. The game is played with a deck of transparent cards that can be played on top of each other to modify the characters’ traits and circumstances.
Each turn, players draw two cards and play as many as they want on their own characters or on their opponents’ characters. The goal is to make the characters as miserable as possible before killing them off.
The game ends when one player has killed off all of their characters. The player with the most miserable characters at the end of the game wins.
Components
Gloom comes with a deck of transparent cards and a set of family cards. The transparent cards are used to modify the characters’ traits and circumstances, while the family cards are used to keep track of each player’s family.
The game also comes with a rulebook that explains the game’s mechanics and provides examples of how to play.
Theme and Artwork
Gloom has a dark and macabre theme that is reflected in its artwork and gameplay. The characters are all misfits and outcasts who are plagued by misfortune and tragedy. The artwork is reminiscent of Edward Gorey’s illustrations, with a gothic and whimsical style.
Strategy
Gloom is a game that requires strategy and planning. Players must decide when to play their cards and on which characters to play them. They must also be mindful of their opponents’ cards and try to counteract their effects.
One strategy is to focus on one character and make them as miserable as possible. This can be done by playing cards that modify their traits and circumstances in negative ways. Once the character is sufficiently miserable, they can be killed off to score points.
Another strategy is to spread the misery around and make all of the characters equally miserable. This can be done by playing cards on multiple characters and trying to balance their misfortunes.
Expansions
Gloom has several expansions that add new families and cards to the game. These expansions include Unhappy Homes, Unwelcome Guests, Unfortunate Expeditions, and Unquiet Dead.
Each expansion introduces new mechanics and themes to the game, making it even more challenging and entertaining.
Conclusion
Gloom is a unique and entertaining card game that challenges players to make their characters as miserable as possible before killing them off. The game’s dark humor and macabre themes have gained a cult following among gamers who enjoy a good dose of misery and misfortune.
With its transparent cards and strategic gameplay, Gloom is a game that will keep you entertained and engaged for hours on end.