Dreadful Circus

Dreadful Circus is a unique and chilling tabletop game that offers an experience like no other. In this short review, I'll share my thoughts on this intriguing game. From the moment you open the box, you're immediately drawn into the eerie and captivating world of the circus. The game's artwork and components are exceptionally well-designed, setting the perfect tone for the macabre adventure that awaits. The attention to detail in the components, from the creepy miniatures to the beautifully illustrated cards, is impressive and adds to the overall immersion. The gameplay itself is a blend of strategy and storytelling. Players take on the roles of circus performers, each with their own dark secrets and abilities. The goal is to attract the audience and gain their favor while uncovering the mysteries hidden within the circus. The choices you make during the game have consequences, and the branching narrative keeps you engaged from start to finish. What truly sets Dreadful Circus apart is the sense of tension it creates. The looming threat of the mysterious Ringmaster and the eerie atmosphere make every decision feel important. The game's theme is not for the faint of heart, as it delves into darker themes and narratives, but this is precisely what makes it so captivating for those who enjoy a touch of horror in their tabletop experiences. One aspect that might not be for everyone is the complexity of the game. It may take a few playthroughs to fully grasp the mechanics and strategies, but once you do, it becomes a deeply rewarding experience. The learning curve can be a bit steep, but it's well worth the effort. In conclusion, Dreadful Circus is a game that stands out in the tabletop gaming world. It offers a unique blend of horror, strategy, and storytelling, creating an unforgettable experience that keeps you coming back for more. If you're a fan of dark themes, intricate gameplay, and a touch of the macabre, then Dreadful Circus is a game you should definitely consider adding to your collection. It's a game that will leave a lasting impression and is perfect for those seeking something out of the ordinary.

Fun auction game, very interactive. The more players - the better process. Interesting theme and nice artwork.

I love the art and theming. The bidding mechanism makes for interesting decisions, and brings a fun tension to the game. The game is a bit confrontational by having cards that allow you to destroy other cards or steal very valuable resources.

I'm always looking for a game that allows for higher player counts and this one does up to 8. Be aware you will need at least 4 p[layer to play it. So far I have played two games with 5 players, and it was a hit with everybody. Other than the art, which has a wonderful creepy retro carnival vibe, I was intrigued by the secretive bidding. As the game progresses, everybody gets a chance to offer something for sale. The other players make offers in little boxes called wagons, which the seller can only view one at a time, and either take that offer or drop it for the other unknown offer. I got burned more than once in my plays, but that was part of the goofy charm of this experience. The game plays with secrets, the bidding I just described and what you have behind your screen. You have to be wise about what you reveal. In my first play, for instance, a player stated that wanted Berlin contracts and if any were in a wagon, that person would get the card he was offering. I noticed he had an attraction card in front of him, that awarded collections of contracts from only one city. In the final round, I managed to get win the bid for an action card that allowed me to steal contracts from another player. Normally I would have to guess, but I knew what he had from turns before, and I stole in a way that fit my strategy and gave me the win. When I first started teaching it to my group, I was not sure how it was going to fit together. You have money, contracts from various cities and the cards that end up as public knowledge in front of your screen to score with at the end. I thought it felt like not enough, but that changed after the first play. The last round of each game had a good tension to it. When it got to my turn to offer a card for sale, I was fully aware that what I was selling could be used on me, or be giving points to another player. Components are generally good or just OK. The wagons are the boxes you have to put together when you buy and are a bit flimsy. The cards are reasonably good quality however the backs are black and a deep blood red to the edges, so I'm am sure they will show wear after a fair amount of use. The rule book does its job well, but in places, it has black type over darker colors. There are also white paragraphs of type on black. I needed good lighting to read it because of these reasons. This is a very social game that can have a mean streak. It plays pretty quickly at 5 players, but I'm sure a bit longer with more. Anyway great to be able to support 8 players. However, you will need the right kind of players that won't get bent out of shape if they get targeted by action cards. As a player, you have to prepare for that and be secretive enough for a plan B. This gave it a bit more complexity or strategy than just a basic party game for me. That's what I wanted, and that is what I got. This was a fun time for everyone at my table, and I see it getting played often by all levels of gamers. It fills the slot after, or before, playing heavier games quite well.

In Dreadful Circus you take the role of a ringmaster buying and selling circus acts represented on cards. You start with a hand of cards but will only ever get to play two of them. The rest you sell to other players. Rounds fo until everyone has a hand of 3 cards left. It was fun but we wish we could have played a 1-2 more rounds