Nightfall (Deck-Building Game)
Publisher: Alderac Entertainment Group
Release Date: March 2011
MSRP: $39.99
Number of Players: 2 to 5
Playing Time: 45 minutes
Product #: AEG5301
UPC: 7-29220-053015
Age Rating: 12+
ICv2 Rating: 3.5 Stars out of 5

This deck-building game is a clever step into the horror genre.  Its more complex mechanics provide a slightly steeper learning curve than other deck-building games, but this provides flexibility in play and repeat playability.  The "chain" game mechanic means that on any player’s turn, other players may be able to respond in ways that totally alter the effects of cards already played.  The "draft" mechanism allows players to select a small number of minions or commands and make them unavailable to the other players.  Minions, commands and wounds will become part of your overall deck as the game progresses.

The drawbacks of the innovative game mechanics are minor, but do exist.  Keeping track of each player’s contribution to a chain is occasionally confusing.  Also, the mechanics of adding to someone else’s Chain adds "thinking time" and slows the game down a little bit.  The draft system can unbalance the game with a bad initial draw, but the designer offers an alternate version in which players play a series of games, for a total score.  This resolves the issue, but takes much longer.

The scoring is simple: whoever accumulates the fewest "Wound" cards wins.  Because the Wound cards become part of your deck, they affect your ability to fight.

The artwork is excellent, and the rules are very clear, both in the rulebook and on the cards themselves.  Overall, this is a good game for teens and adults.  The theme, complexity and graphics make it less suitable for younger children.

--Nick Smith: Librarian Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California.