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Winter can be the dullest of seasons; the sun is scarce, the weather sucks and my skin becomes criminally dry. Even so, I don’t hate winter because it can create great opportunities for learning new things and broadening horizons. This winter, I’ve played the 2018 God of War, watched several movies and finally played a board game that’s been sitting on my shelves for years: Donner Dinner Party.

Who was the Donner Party?

Before we dive into the game, let’s get a little context of its inspiration. The Donner Party was a group of pioneers in the 1840’s who traveled from the midwest to California in search of opportunities and fulfilling the manifest destiny. While the group began their journey following the Oregon Trail, they eventually changed course and took the Hastings Cutoff, a “shorter” route. Yet this so-called shortcut not only lengthened an already arduous journey, but resulted in dozens of deaths and lead the starving pioneers to no other choice but cannibalism.

board game: Various cards players can use to win the game.

Growing Up Near Donner Lake

As someone who grew up near Donner Lake, the location of the pioneers’ peak cannibalism, local culture loves the story. Restaurants and bars will have special drinks named after the event while artistic references pop up in paintings and murals. It’s a history we can’t escape, one so incredulous and terrifying that we’ve resorted to joking about it and playing board games about it.

Cannibalism Is My Passion

My brain – like many others – likes to go through periods of intense fascination with various subjects, and a few years ago one of the topics was cannibalism. No, I promise I was not researching for any personal reasons nor do I have plans on becoming the local cannibal. But maybe you can relate to this interest, considering you’re on a horror website and clearly enjoy horrific topics.

Donner Lake: I took this photo of Donner Lake in 2017 because I liked taking photos and skipping class
I took this photo of Donner Lake in 2017 because I liked taking photos and skipping class

Anyway, the Donner Party was of course among the many items I researched; just because you grow up learning about it in grade school doesn’t mean there still isn’t more to learn! So you can imagine how excited I was when, after discovering this game exists, an old friend gave it to me for Christmas. Ever since then, I’ve spent years looking for at least three other people interested in playing the game. Opportunities came, all of which were squandered, until finally, on Christmas day of 2021, I finally played it.

The Rules

Donner Dinner Party is akin to the classic game Mafia and requires four to ten players. During each round, the players receive three hunting cards and three supply cards to aid their survival. In the chance that there is not enough food to feed your teammates, the players must draw a vote on who to eat. This leads to bickering amongst the players, in which everyone turns on one another so they may live to see another day.

If you’re a pioneer, your goal is to eliminate (eat) all the cannibals. If you’re a cannibal, you pretend to be a pioneer to trick your teammates into eating someone else. Pioneers can only win if, at the end of the game, they outnumber the cannibals. When there is only one cannibal and one pioneer left, or there all the pioneers are dead, the cannibals win.

Board game: the small board for the game
The little circular cards are the players, either cannibals or pioneers. Flip the pioneer over when you die and you can play as a ghost before vanishing into the afterlife forever.

My Verdict and Suggestions

Once the instructions were read and a few rounds were played, Donner Dinner Party was simple and fun to play. The instructions are clear and anytime my teammates had a question, I was able to find the answers right away. However, when I played with my three friends, we usually ended the game within two or three rounds because we were able to eliminate the cannibal fairly easily. We all agreed that, while the game was fun, it would have been better to play with more than the minimum four person requirement. Additionally, if you play with six or more players, there is a special supply card (Ol Tasty, see above) that you can use should you be so lucky to earn it.

Donner Dinner Party is a game I’m excited to play again. I absolutely recommend it to you, reader, especially if you have a knack for fascinating history and eating your teammates.

4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

CourtCourt is a writer, horror enthusiast, and may or may not be your favorite human-eating houseplant.

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Jennifer Weigel

    January 8, 2022 at 8:08 pm

    This is fascinating. I’ve never heard of this board game but it has great artwork and looks fun. Glad you found some unsuspecting friends to join in the consumption -cough- I mean fun…

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Gaming

Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR

WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.

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WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.

You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.

There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.

A ghoulish girl looks at the viewer. Below is a combat system. To the right side is the player character stats. To the upper left is the ghoul's stats
What Combat Looks Like in WORLD OF HORROR

What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR

Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.

Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.

The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.

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No Longer Human (Junji Ito)
  • Hardcover Book
  • Ito, Junji (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

Last update on 2025-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.

While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.

White background, rubber stamp with disclaimer pressed against the white background.
Disclaimer Kimberley Web Design

Tired Tropes and Triggers

Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.

Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.

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Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition (Junji Ito)
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  • Ito, Junji (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

Last update on 2025-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.

In a dark room, someone observes a spotlight over a telescope.
Selecting your eldritch enemy in Custom Mode.

What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR

Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.

This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.

Final Thoughts

WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully.
4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5)

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🎮 Eldritch Automata: Exclusive GenCon 2024 Reveal with Nick Francia!

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Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!

Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.

Eldritch Automata quicklaunch guide with a sinister looking mech warrior on the cover

In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:

• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements

• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.

Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev

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🎬🎃 House of 1000 Corpses and Halloween II–GAMES!! 🎃🎬 Trick or Treat Studios

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Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!

In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.

Rob Zombie's House of 1000 Corpses a game of horror. Cover had three evil looking people one of them a clown in a top hat and the other looks like amanda turd, with the middle one looking with a hand reaching out to grab you...spooky!

These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!

But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!

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