The Breakdown:
Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 10 min
Weight: 1.5/10
Publisher: AEG
Mechanics: Bluffing
Deduction
Components: 16 Game Cards
4 Reference Cards
13 Wooden Tokens
Rule Booklet
Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 10 min
Weight: 1.5/10
Publisher: AEG
Mechanics: Bluffing
Deduction
Components: 16 Game Cards
4 Reference Cards
13 Wooden Tokens
Rule Booklet
The Review:
Like many people who have been baptized into the cult of board games, one of my friends introduced me to some lighter fare that triggered my love of board/card games. One of those games was Love Letter, let’s open it up and take a look:
Like many people who have been baptized into the cult of board games, one of my friends introduced me to some lighter fare that triggered my love of board/card games. One of those games was Love Letter, let’s open it up and take a look:
This is, perhaps, the definition of an ultra-portable micro-game; it even comes in a handy pouch! The card art leaves a little something to be desired, but it’s certainly not in the “bad” category. I am a fan of the overall card design: number placement, font, and information are right where they need to be for this sort of game.
Gameplay:
Objective: To eliminate the competition or by having your “letter” as close to the princess as possible (Highest card at the end of the round)
Set Up: One card is placed face down on the table, each other player gets one card. The remaining cards are placed face down in a deck.
On Your Turn: You draw one card, and play one card.
Game Ends: When you are the only player left or the deck is gone.
Extra Notes:
-There are only 16 cards in the game, of 8 different types each one having special powers or limitations when they are played:
Final Thoughts:
Few games can do what Love Letter does. It is a very light filler that is made to be played over multiple rounds, elegant in its simplicity. There is some strategy to the game, but realistically it is almost exclusively luck-based; in some rare instances you can be forced to act in a way that actually hurts you. Easy to teach to non-gamers and wickedly addicting, it has become one of my go-to time killing games with friends and family.
Positives:
Negatives:
Final Score: 7/10
Seriously, it’s under $10 and takes 10 minutes. Everyone likes it. Just get it.
Gameplay:
Objective: To eliminate the competition or by having your “letter” as close to the princess as possible (Highest card at the end of the round)
Set Up: One card is placed face down on the table, each other player gets one card. The remaining cards are placed face down in a deck.
On Your Turn: You draw one card, and play one card.
Game Ends: When you are the only player left or the deck is gone.
Extra Notes:
-There are only 16 cards in the game, of 8 different types each one having special powers or limitations when they are played:
- Guards (5)- Choose another player and name a non-guard, if the player has that card, they’re out
- Priest (2)- Look at another player’s hand
- Baron (2)- You compare hands with another player, the lower value is out
- Handmaid (2)- Until your next turn, ignore all effects from player’s cards
- Prince (2)- Choose any player to discard their hand and draw a new card
- King (1)- Trade hands with another player
- Countess (1)- If you have this card and King/Prince in your hand, you must discard this card
- Princess (1)- If you discard this card, you are out of the round.
Final Thoughts:
Few games can do what Love Letter does. It is a very light filler that is made to be played over multiple rounds, elegant in its simplicity. There is some strategy to the game, but realistically it is almost exclusively luck-based; in some rare instances you can be forced to act in a way that actually hurts you. Easy to teach to non-gamers and wickedly addicting, it has become one of my go-to time killing games with friends and family.
Positives:
- Low price point
- Portable
- Easy to teach gateway game
Negatives:
- Cards can force you to harm yourself
- Very little strategy, very high luck
Final Score: 7/10
Seriously, it’s under $10 and takes 10 minutes. Everyone likes it. Just get it.