Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein*
Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein is a dark, thematic board game that immerses players in the eerie world of Mary Shelley’s iconic novel. Set in 1819 Paris, this game blends strategic resource management, worker placement, and narrative-driven choices into a richly detailed experience of scientific endeavor and moral ambiguity. Players take on the roles of scientists, each with their own motivations, competing to create life from death under the shadowy patronage of a mysterious figure who claims to possess Victor Frankenstein's original research.
Gameplay Overview
- Worker Placement: Players send their workers to various locations in Paris to collect materials, conduct research, and perform actions that advance their grim work. Choices include visiting graveyards for fresh specimens, morgues for less fresh specimens, hiring unsavory characters, and more.
- Resource Management: The materials you collect decompose over time, adding urgency to your actions. Players must balance the acquisition and utilization of bodily materials to advance their experiments.
- Narrative Choices: The game features narrative elements that unfold based on player decisions, leading to different outcomes and affecting the game's world and your standing within it.
- Objective: The ultimate goal is to animate your creation before your rivals or before Captain Walton fulfills his vow to destroy Frankenstein’s creature. Success or failure will determine your place in Frankenstein's dark legacy.
Key Features
- Rich Theme: The game deeply immerses players in the gothic horror atmosphere of Frankenstein’s world, blending scientific exploration with the moral quandaries of creating life from death.
- Competitive Gameplay: While each player works towards their own goal, the actions of others and the creature itself can impact your progress, adding a layer of strategy and unpredictability.
- Engaging Mechanics: A combination of worker placement and resource management challenges players to make strategic decisions under pressure, especially as resources begin to decay.
- Dynamic Narrative: Player choices lead to narrative outcomes that enrich the gaming experience with story-driven events, adding depth and replayability.
Conclusion
Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein offers a compelling blend of strategy, thematic depth, and narrative engagement. It's a game that challenges not just your ability to strategize and manage resources but also your ethical boundaries as you delve into the world of gothic horror. Whether you're drawn to the challenge of bringing a creature to life, intrigued by the moral dilemmas, or captivated by the rich atmosphere of Frankenstein's legacy, this game promises a unique and immersive experience for all who dare to play.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 90 - 180 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty