I picked up Dȗhr: The Lesser Houses from the Devious Weasel Games team at GenCon earlier this year. This is the first game from their catalog that I've had the opportunity to play and it has been a wonderful introduction. On a recent late summer evening, my husband and I invited another couple over to play Dȗhr, and we included our 13 year old daughter and their 12 year old son around the game table as well.
The artwork, including the font, compliments the game's nobility theme. The components (cards) are well made with a thickness that promotes durability.
The rule book is clear and concise and a handful of player reference cards are provided. We would have liked to see more copies of the player reference cards included so that the six of us crowded around the table didn't have to keep reaching for the communal reference cards.
Win Condition: Most Points
Inputs:
Status of my house (favored/disfavored/villain)?
Number of suspicion and scandal cards?
(applicable only to favored and disfavored houses; less is better)
Number of villains?
(applicable only to vilified houses; more is better)
Strategy tip: Because favored houses have a higher max score possible, disfavored houses should focus on either achieving favored status before game's end or forcing all favored houses into disfavored status.
The turns move at a comfortable pace, so the game is not prone to analysis paralysis but you really have to be on your toes and pay attention carefully while playing Dȗhr because the positioning of your opponents between favored houses, disfavored houses, and villains is constantly changing. As fortunes reverse quickly, your strategy has to change in parallel. This is not an auto-pilot relaxing kind of card game; this is a focused kick butt and take names kind of card game. And the wide variety of personal agendas (think of them as personal quests) to select from at the beginning of the game ensures the game can be replayed many times without duplicating conditions.
I'd play Dȗhr anytime. It's a great game to have in your collection if you enjoy card games, handle take that games well, and have a large enough gaming circle to make use of games that require 4 player minimums.
The artwork, including the font, compliments the game's nobility theme. The components (cards) are well made with a thickness that promotes durability.
The rule book is clear and concise and a handful of player reference cards are provided. We would have liked to see more copies of the player reference cards included so that the six of us crowded around the table didn't have to keep reaching for the communal reference cards.
Win Condition: Most Points
Inputs:
Status of my house (favored/disfavored/villain)?
Number of suspicion and scandal cards?
(applicable only to favored and disfavored houses; less is better)
Number of villains?
(applicable only to vilified houses; more is better)
Strategy tip: Because favored houses have a higher max score possible, disfavored houses should focus on either achieving favored status before game's end or forcing all favored houses into disfavored status.The turns move at a comfortable pace, so the game is not prone to analysis paralysis but you really have to be on your toes and pay attention carefully while playing Dȗhr because the positioning of your opponents between favored houses, disfavored houses, and villains is constantly changing. As fortunes reverse quickly, your strategy has to change in parallel. This is not an auto-pilot relaxing kind of card game; this is a focused kick butt and take names kind of card game. And the wide variety of personal agendas (think of them as personal quests) to select from at the beginning of the game ensures the game can be replayed many times without duplicating conditions.
I'd play Dȗhr anytime. It's a great game to have in your collection if you enjoy card games, handle take that games well, and have a large enough gaming circle to make use of games that require 4 player minimums.
-------------------------
Players: 4-6 (We played with 6)
Actual Playing Time (vs the guideline on the box): About 60 minutes
Game type: take that, hand management
Rating:
Jenni’s rating scale:
OUI: I would play this game again; this game is ok. I probably would not buy this game myself but I would play it with those who own it and if someone gave it to me I would keep it.
OUI OUI: I would play this game again; this game is good. I would buy this game.
OUI OUI OUI: I LOVE THIS GAME. I MUST HAVE THIS GAME.
NON: I would not play this game again. I would return this game or give it away if it was given to me.
Comments