Thanks for the review Zee! Just a few quick notes: - Actually, the theme is inspired from a quite famous old French movie, "The Red Inn", which is indeed very funny, tongue-in-cheek (even though it's itself inspired by a true story). Also, I guess most French players (and other who watched the movie) will probably have a different approach towards the theme ;). - Normally, travelers in the entrance stack should be shown face up (= the guys are still alive at this point!), and so players can see who's the next guy coming to the inn, which can sometimes help (esp. if this is a policeman!). - The idea behind the main mechanic (= play a number of cards from you hand that matches the rank of the target, then discard those who don't have the icon of the action played) comes from the theme: to perform an action, you need the help of a number of accomplices that depends on the target, and while those who have an aptitude for the action are really happy to give a hand (and so they stay with you, to get paid in the morning), other accomplices feel not very confortable doing something they don't like, and prefer to quit :). Enjoy the game! (And beware of the police! ^^)
Travelers in rooms become guests. Killed guests become corpses. Bribed guests become accomplices. Accomplices in hand can become annexes. I don't think I've ever played a game where one card could become so many things.
An EXCELLENT little game that killed (pun intended) Splendor for me. The theme works great and the strategy is pretty much non stop. I like that you can play a short or long game. Be advised though, the short game will only last long enough for you to get your engine started before it’s over. I found It was a mad dash at the end to kill everyone I could and dispose of their bodies. Damn good game.
The instructions say to have the entrance deck face up, but I never play it that way. If it is face up it can give you a slight advantage in being able to plan ahead for the next round of visitors. Granted, only one card. Its much better that you don't see any if the cards in the pile
+Steve Pruneau Is the same art work team that made the Brazilian edition of Coup... algo the art designer, did awesome job in many robert burkle games, indie board and cards and many others
I miss Zee doing these kinds of reviews. I know he’s trying to systematize things with this new rating system. But I think it’s so dry. And I feel like it’s just like a list of parameters rather than the true feeling from his heart on the game. I prefer this style better.
I have 3 questions regarding the rules and I hope somebody can help: 1. A Mechanic allows me to build an Annex using 1 fewer accomplice, so for e.g. if I want to build an Rank-2 annex, I can do that by paying just one card (and if it’s a red card, I can do that for free). I understand that; but my question is this: if I have two active Mechanics, does that mean I can build a Rank-2 annex without paying any card? By the same logic, can I bribe a Rank-2 guest for free if I have two active Representatives? And I guess the same question goes for the Abbot, i.e. if I have two active Abbots, does that mean I can bury a Rank-2 body for free? 2. What happens at the end of the game if my disk is at, let’s say 38, and I have a Park and a Grocery built; does that mean I can’t launder money and I’m stuck at 40?! Because if that’s the case, then it’s really useless to build these cards because I’ll have to keep laundering money during the game which wastes too many turns. 3. What happens if, during the game, my disk is at 2, and I have to pay for 3 accomplices at the end of the round? Do I lose the game, or can I cash-in a 10-Francs check in order to pay? If so, what happens if I don’t have a check, do I lose the game? And does the same thing apply when playing solo? Thanks.
You've likely found your answers by now, but: 1. Yes 2. You can never go over 40 cash on the board (unless you're playing that variant). You definitely need a thoughtful game plan. 3. Whatever accomplices you cannot pay for at the end of the round with cash on the board must be discarded to the exit stack (or the peasant stack). You can't use cheques.
Why is it so difficult for American reviewers to refer to game currency by its proper name? This game is set in France and uses francs as currency. It doesn't use "bucks". I think it's lazy to use "dollars" or "bucks", completely disregarding the actual currency in question. Just call it like it is, whether it's francs, doubloons, credits, or whatever. Not every game is set in the USA.
Easy, because Americans don't travel much. Only 30% of them even have passports. People overseas, usually live in a tighter grouping of nations. This means that it is easier and more common for them to travel, and thus are exposed to more currencies. If an American were to travel to Canada they would still encounter the Canadian Dollar, if they travel south to Mexico, they don't even need to go to a currency exchange as many people there deal with American dollars.
not a big deal. Canadians & Australians also use 'bucks', so most of the english speaking world though you'd favour 'quids' in UK. 'bucks' is more of a familiar word for any currency you deal with daily imo. they say 'balles' or 'boules' in french, if you are in London 'vingt balles' = 'twenty pounds' ... then you can consider it slightly ruins the game's mood, which is understandable but not dramatic.
I don't think it's just an American thing. There are so many games with different types of currency, sometimes fictional currency, that oftentimes it's just easier to think of it as 'money' rather than remembering which specific currency a particular game uses
Thanks for the review Zee!
Just a few quick notes:
- Actually, the theme is inspired from a quite famous old French movie, "The Red Inn", which is indeed very funny, tongue-in-cheek (even though it's itself inspired by a true story). Also, I guess most French players (and other who watched the movie) will probably have a different approach towards the theme ;).
- Normally, travelers in the entrance stack should be shown face up (= the guys are still alive at this point!), and so players can see who's the next guy coming to the inn, which can sometimes help (esp. if this is a policeman!).
- The idea behind the main mechanic (= play a number of cards from you hand that matches the rank of the target, then discard those who don't have the icon of the action played) comes from the theme: to perform an action, you need the help of a number of accomplices that depends on the target, and while those who have an aptitude for the action are really happy to give a hand (and so they stay with you, to get paid in the morning), other accomplices feel not very confortable doing something they don't like, and prefer to quit :).
Enjoy the game! (And beware of the police! ^^)
Adding the Player Aid card in the corner during the review is a great addition!
Travelers in rooms become guests. Killed guests become corpses. Bribed guests become accomplices. Accomplices in hand can become annexes. I don't think I've ever played a game where one card could become so many things.
I'm really looking forward to this game. Thanks for the great review, Zee!
An EXCELLENT little game that killed (pun intended) Splendor for me. The theme works great and the strategy is pretty much non stop. I like that you can play a short or long game. Be advised though, the short game will only last long enough for you to get your engine started before it’s over. I found It was a mad dash at the end to kill everyone I could and dispose of their bodies. Damn good game.
I hadn't thought of this but it is like Splendor expect the colors/resources need to be done in an order. Build - Kill - Bury
Really cool little game
In the rulebook shows the entrance stack guests deck face up 😲 ...
The instructions say to have the entrance deck face up, but I never play it that way.
If it is face up it can give you a slight advantage in being able to plan ahead for the next round of visitors. Granted, only one card. Its much better that you don't see any if the cards in the pile
Good point😊
A copy of The Bloody Inn board game is on eBay right now.
Very cool artwork, looks fun to play. Thanks for making me add this one to my list, Zee. Awesome job as usual :D
+Steve Pruneau Is the same art work team that made the Brazilian edition of Coup...
algo the art designer, did awesome job in many robert burkle games, indie board and cards and many others
Awesome game mat!!!
I miss Zee doing these kinds of reviews. I know he’s trying to systematize things with this new rating system. But I think it’s so dry. And I feel like it’s just like a list of parameters rather than the true feeling from his heart on the game. I prefer this style better.
I have 3 questions regarding the rules and I hope somebody can help:
1. A Mechanic allows me to build an Annex using 1 fewer accomplice, so for e.g. if I want to build an Rank-2 annex, I can do that by paying just one card (and if it’s a red card, I can do that for free). I understand that; but my question is this: if I have two active Mechanics, does that mean I can build a Rank-2 annex without paying any card?
By the same logic, can I bribe a Rank-2 guest for free if I have two active Representatives? And I guess the same question goes for the Abbot, i.e. if I have two active Abbots, does that mean I can bury a Rank-2 body for free?
2. What happens at the end of the game if my disk is at, let’s say 38, and I have a Park and a Grocery built; does that mean I can’t launder money and I’m stuck at 40?! Because if that’s the case, then it’s really useless to build these cards because I’ll have to keep laundering money during the game which wastes too many turns.
3. What happens if, during the game, my disk is at 2, and I have to pay for 3 accomplices at the end of the round? Do I lose the game, or can I cash-in a 10-Francs check in order to pay? If so, what happens if I don’t have a check, do I lose the game? And does the same thing apply when playing solo?
Thanks.
You've likely found your answers by now, but:
1. Yes
2. You can never go over 40 cash on the board (unless you're playing that variant). You definitely need a thoughtful game plan.
3. Whatever accomplices you cannot pay for at the end of the round with cash on the board must be discarded to the exit stack (or the peasant stack). You can't use cheques.
Is it possible to play this game with 2 players on one side of the table (e.g., a coffee table)?
I really want this game for halloween next year
Only game from Essen that seems interesting.
hi zee. i'm sure you've gotten this before, but the draw deck is face up, right?
Why is it so difficult for American reviewers to refer to game currency by its proper name? This game is set in France and uses francs as currency. It doesn't use "bucks". I think it's lazy to use "dollars" or "bucks", completely disregarding the actual currency in question. Just call it like it is, whether it's francs, doubloons, credits, or whatever. Not every game is set in the USA.
Easy, because Americans don't travel much. Only 30% of them even have passports. People overseas, usually live in a tighter grouping of nations. This means that it is easier and more common for them to travel, and thus are exposed to more currencies. If an American were to travel to Canada they would still encounter the Canadian Dollar, if they travel south to Mexico, they don't even need to go to a currency exchange as many people there deal with American dollars.
not a big deal. Canadians & Australians also use 'bucks', so most of the english speaking world though you'd favour 'quids' in UK. 'bucks' is more of a familiar word for any currency you deal with daily imo. they say 'balles' or 'boules' in french, if you are in London 'vingt balles' = 'twenty pounds' ... then you can consider it slightly ruins the game's mood, which is understandable but not dramatic.
I don't think it's just an American thing. There are so many games with different types of currency, sometimes fictional currency, that oftentimes it's just easier to think of it as 'money' rather than remembering which specific currency a particular game uses
Like it is worth such an emotional response
Who cares, we know what he's referring to... it's a board game review 😂 chill
the fact that you have to discard cards to do actions is not really "tematic" isn't it?
terrible how to play.
Terrible comment