Ghost Castle
Ghost Castle is a game from Buffalo Games & Puzzles where 2-4 players compete to get their team of ghost hunters out of the house first. On their turn, players will roll the die and move one of their two ghost hunters along the board. However, if they roll a ghost, they must face the wrath of Sir Spooksalot. There’s a ghost at the top of the castle containing a metal ball; after you press the button and release the ball, it will fall and trigger one of four different traps. Any ghost hunter in the danger zone for that trap must move backwards until they reach a safe space. The player who gets both of their ghost hunters out of the house first wins.
The Ghost Castle Box
The box is great. Not only does everything fit in reasonably well, it’s actually a part of the game board. The downside is that this is a game with a lot of assembly required. It’s also a 3-dimensional board, and you’re expected to get up and move around as you play. You also have to make sure your assembly is solid, otherwise the ball will get stuck and not set off traps properly.
The designs of the player characters are mostly pretty good, but two are tasteless Romani stereotypes. The particular stereotype of Romani people as fortune tellers, who are often portrayed as swindlers at best and sinister at worst, has appeared across horror media for decades and continues to negatively affect the Romani people to this day. To learn more about the Romani people and why these stereotypes are harmful, I recommend the study Romani Realities in the United States: Breaking the Silence, Challenging the Stereotypes.
Thoughts
Ghost Castle is primarily targeted at children, and it seems like a great way to keep them entertained. The assembly could make for a small activity itself, and the simple rules with quick turn cycles keep players engaged. The fact that the board is 3D and encourages players to get up and move around is perfect for kids. Because each player is meant to control 2 characters, you could easily house-rule to expand the player count up to 8. The “gotcha!” nature of the ghost means no guaranteed victories; someone could always be set back by a trap or get stuck at the exit. This is a bit of a double-edged sword: players stay engaged because they could always make a last-minute comeback, but players who were in the lead but suddenly lost might feel a bit salty. Kids especially might get pretty upset by that.
Many of the details that make Ghost Castle a good game for children also give it decent potential to be a good party game. There was a unanimous consensus among the rest of my adult playgroup that this game would be great if you added alcohol and turned it into some kind of drinking game. However, if your party crowd is used to playing meatier board games, the game’s simplicity can be a flaw rather than a feature. You may want to consider house rules to add extra complexity.
The end of the game is frustrating. You must roll exactly to land on the escape space; if you roll over the number of spaces you need you do nothing. And keep in mind, you have to do that twice. This can create some fun extra tension where it still feels like anybody’s game even if someone made it to the end first, but it often feels like it drags the game out a bit too much.
Ghost Castle Verdict
Ghost Castle takes a bit of effort to get going due to assembly requirements, and the rules are a bit basic, but with the right people and the right atmosphere it can be a great time. I give Ghost Castle 3.5 out of 5 cthulhus. You can check it out at the Amazon link below, but remember that we are an Amazon Affiliate and if you purchase anything using the links provided we will receive some $ back.
(3.5 / 5)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 / 5)
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.
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
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.
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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