Stokerverse

Summary

👥 A game for 2 to 6 players
⏳ Play time is around 20 – 40 minutes
🏢 Publisher is Iconiq Studios

Introduction

When you think of who created Dracula, then you’ll recognize that it is Bram Stoker. That’s what gives Stokerverse its body and base, which already gets you into the theme.

And what will already be clear is that the artwork is very nicely done. Each card in each deck is in style and theme, which makes the game even better. Also, the nice thing about the card games from Iconiq Studios is that within a few seconds, players know what the game is about and the goals to win. This is again clearly indicated on the front page of the rulebook. It’s a great way to do this. Personally, the rulebook itself and the added guide could also have been in the style and finish of the cards, which now have a shiny glow.

Let’s get in on the table

The goal is to complete quest cards. The winner is the first player to complete either five quests, including at least one from each location—North, South, East, and West—and one extra from any of these locations, or seven quests total from any locations.

Getting this card game on the table is set in a few minutes.

Shuffle each deck and place the North, South, East, and West decks in the middle of the table. Each player draws 3 cards. These can be from any of the decks, and players can split them however they like.

The game is played in turns. Decide who goes first and play moves clockwise around the table. Each turn consists of 3 stages: 

1. Draw two cards 
2. Complete quests and/or use a Dracula card
3. Discard down to a maximum of nine cards

Also, when players want to start with some quests at the beginning of the game, this rule may be added to ensure that all players start with at least one quest. If a starting hand does not contain a quest, the player may show it to the group, shuffle the cards back into their decks, and then draw three new ones.

Start each turn by drawing two cards. Players can draw from the top of any deck and/or discard piles, and they can split them however they like.

When making a choice about which pile players will take cards from, they must clearly state to the group which locations they are drawing cards from before drawing. This is important because some quests depend on this decision.

Weight: 2.00/ 5
Replayability: 7.5
Our rating: 8 out of 10 dices

There are 3 different types of quests:

–MONSTERS, to defeat a monster, players must hold the two matching object cards. The arrows above each object show you where you can find it. Once you have both objects and the monster in your hand on your turn, you can declare the quest complete. Discard both objects into their locations’ discard piles, then place the monster on the table in front of you with the other quests you’ve completed.

When players collect two of the same objects, they can use it as a ‘wild card’ against any object on a monster card. The location does not have to match, as long as the object and name are the same. You can only use a wild card against one object on a monster card; you can’t use wild cards for both objects.

–HUNTERS, to defeat a hunter, another player must draw from the two specified locations during their turn. If a rival draws a card from these needed locations during their turn, then the player can interrupt them and claim their quest as complete. Show the group the card, then place it on the table in front of you with the other quests you’ve completed. If players have two hunters with the same requirements, you may complete both at once. If a player uses a Dracula card to draw two more cards during their turn, these can also be used for the quest. Hunters can’t be defeated during the setup process of the game.

–CURSES, to defeat a curse, you must have the specified number of matching location cards. 

The only cards that can’t be used against curses are Dracula cards. 

Once you have the required number of cards and the curse in your hand on your turn, you can declare the quest complete. Discard the cards into their locations’ discard piles, then place the curse on the table in front of you with the other quests you’ve completed.

What makes this card game even better are the Dracula cards. Players may play one Dracula card during their turn after drawing cards. Each card has two functions, and players must decide which one to use when playing the card. Once played, the card is discarded. Players are not allowed to draw Dracula cards from the discard pile. This makes them useful tools for blocking discard piles!

Like the theme and the quality of the cards. And again, the game box is small and easy to take with you on any occasion. It will provide many hours of gameplay, even if the theme is not your thing, the gameplay itself is well done and is a good, fast game to play and get onto the table.

We want to thank Iconiq Studios for this review copy and the opportunity to write about this game.