Not every game needs to come in a coffin sized box filled with plastic and cardboard. Today I want to talk about Love Letter, a tiny game comprising of only sixteen cards and a bunch of cubes that despite its tiny size, offers some of the most entertaining gameplay around. Originally released by Japon Brand, it's been picked up by AEG and reskinned to be included in their Tempest line of games (from which we've previously looked at their rather splendid Courtier title). Look past the title and you, I promise, are in for something special.
At this point in the story, the Queen of the city-state of Tempest has been arrested and her daughter has withdrawn from society, hiding away from the public in shame. Between two and four players have taken it upon themselves to cheer her up by attempting to win her heart – after all, that's what all princesses want, isn't it? These potential suitors are trying to pass amorous missives to her secluded majesty and whoever manages to get the most to her by the end of play will win her heart as well as the game.
Each player begins the game with a single card in their hand – another is removed from play, adding an element of mystery – and all you must do is eliminate the others from the game. The sixteen cards are split into eight different types that are given a value; there are five guards, for example, each of whom are rated as a 1, but only a single Princess card with a value of 8.
The eight different roles also have unique instructions written upon them. As your turn starts, you will draw a second card and decide which of the two you hold will be played to the table. Once you've chosen, you follow the instructions on the card you've just put down, hopefully wiping another love interest out of the round.
As you've probably worked out, it's a quick playing game of deduction. Some cards will allow you to try and guess what card someone else is holding – get it right and they must reveal, eliminating themselves from the game. Others see you and another player compare the cards you hold, with whoever having the lowest getting knocked out. The higher up the numerical food chain your card, the fewer there potentially are in play; there are two level 5 Princes, for example, and only one of everything above that. However, these higher numbers are also incredibly powerful.
Power, though, can be dangerous. Get caught with the Princess card in your hand and you'll immediately be removed from play – the ultimate backfire. Manage to be the last suitor standing and your letter has managed to pass through the masses, bringing a little cheer to the saddened royal.Not only do you get to take one of the little red cubes that bring you a step closer to victory, you also get to go first for the next round when (according to the rules, anyway) "The Princess speaks fondly of you at the breakfast table the following morning".
The whole concept of Love Letter sounds so incredibly cheesy and yet it works.Considering how few components there are in the little bag the game comes in, the level of depth that Love Letter offers is positively shocking. What initially looks like something ephemeral, something inconsequential, actually turns out to be a game where you need to keep your wits about you, following the course of play as closely as you can.
Managing to keep track of not only everything that's been played but also what your opposition could be holding becomes a masterclass in memory and deduction. Does the fact that someone has played the Countess card mean that they're also in possession of a King or Prince, or are they just trying to throw you off the scent? Is the card you hold good enough to run the risk of knocking yourself out if you challenge another player?
Each decision is based on countless previous choices, making Love Letter so much more than just another microgame. This is something that can be done in ten minutes but never feels like it's disposable – there's plenty of meat in the game even if it first appears lightweight. Add in the ridiculously low price at which you can pick it up and this is an essential part of a gamer's collection. You really should buy it. Like, now.
At this point in the story, the Queen of the city-state of Tempest has been arrested and her daughter has withdrawn from society, hiding away from the public in shame. Between two and four players have taken it upon themselves to cheer her up by attempting to win her heart – after all, that's what all princesses want, isn't it? These potential suitors are trying to pass amorous missives to her secluded majesty and whoever manages to get the most to her by the end of play will win her heart as well as the game.
Each player begins the game with a single card in their hand – another is removed from play, adding an element of mystery – and all you must do is eliminate the others from the game. The sixteen cards are split into eight different types that are given a value; there are five guards, for example, each of whom are rated as a 1, but only a single Princess card with a value of 8.
The eight different roles also have unique instructions written upon them. As your turn starts, you will draw a second card and decide which of the two you hold will be played to the table. Once you've chosen, you follow the instructions on the card you've just put down, hopefully wiping another love interest out of the round.
As you've probably worked out, it's a quick playing game of deduction. Some cards will allow you to try and guess what card someone else is holding – get it right and they must reveal, eliminating themselves from the game. Others see you and another player compare the cards you hold, with whoever having the lowest getting knocked out. The higher up the numerical food chain your card, the fewer there potentially are in play; there are two level 5 Princes, for example, and only one of everything above that. However, these higher numbers are also incredibly powerful.
Power, though, can be dangerous. Get caught with the Princess card in your hand and you'll immediately be removed from play – the ultimate backfire. Manage to be the last suitor standing and your letter has managed to pass through the masses, bringing a little cheer to the saddened royal.Not only do you get to take one of the little red cubes that bring you a step closer to victory, you also get to go first for the next round when (according to the rules, anyway) "The Princess speaks fondly of you at the breakfast table the following morning".
The whole concept of Love Letter sounds so incredibly cheesy and yet it works.Considering how few components there are in the little bag the game comes in, the level of depth that Love Letter offers is positively shocking. What initially looks like something ephemeral, something inconsequential, actually turns out to be a game where you need to keep your wits about you, following the course of play as closely as you can.
Managing to keep track of not only everything that's been played but also what your opposition could be holding becomes a masterclass in memory and deduction. Does the fact that someone has played the Countess card mean that they're also in possession of a King or Prince, or are they just trying to throw you off the scent? Is the card you hold good enough to run the risk of knocking yourself out if you challenge another player?
Each decision is based on countless previous choices, making Love Letter so much more than just another microgame. This is something that can be done in ten minutes but never feels like it's disposable – there's plenty of meat in the game even if it first appears lightweight. Add in the ridiculously low price at which you can pick it up and this is an essential part of a gamer's collection. You really should buy it. Like, now.
