Info 101: Review of the card game Gloom

November 6, 10:05 PMPhoenix Games ExaminerJan Peterson

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Gloom is a strategic card game played with transparent cards that stack on top of one another.
Jan Peterson

Overview opinion of Gloom

Best for: Ages 13 and up

Type of game: Strategic

Number of players: 2 to 4

Playtime: Approximately 1 hour

Gloom is a strategic card game with a very unique style of play. it is played with transparent plastic cards that are stacked on top of each other which changes the status of each family member with each play.  It also has a strategy twist in that each player wants bad things to befall their family's characters, because the player with the worst score wins!

It takes a few sessions to get the hang of how to play, but once you do, it's very fun. The instructions in the game are more confusing than actual play is. The game can be played in about an hour, so several games can be played in an evening.  Children younger than the recommended age might have trouble reading and understanding the stories and events printed on certain cards, as well as the strategy of play.  I recommend reading the instructions that comes with the cards and then use this review and instructions to simplify a few points.

Types of Cards in Gloom

There are four types of cards involved in playing Gloom:

1. Character Cards: Each player picks a "family" and each family member has a character card whose holder hopes will die with a low score during the game!
2. Modifier Cards - these cards can be identified by having a black text plate and white letters at the bottom of each card.  They also have circles along the left side with numbers on them. The numbers adjust the score of each family member's card. The text plate gives special instructions that may affect future play.
3. Event Cards - these cards can be identified by having a grey text plate and red text.  These cards give instructions about the current play being made.  When played those instructions must be followed.
4. Untimely Death Cards - these cards have a grey text plate and black text.  These cards knock off  a family's character when placed on top of them.

The Goal of Gloom

The goal of the game of Gloom is to have the lowest amount of points showing on the cards covering dead family members at the end of the game.  (When all the members of one family have met their untimely death, the game is over and points are counted.)

Gloom Card Play Overview

Here are the basics of playing Gloom:

• Each player spreads out their five family member cards in front of them.
• The other three types of cards are shuffled together and each player draws 5 cards from the deck.
• Whoever had the worst day goes first, and that player gets two plays on his turn.  He has three choices for both plays, play a card, discard a card or pass. He can play on his family cards or another player's cards.
• He plays by laying one of his cards on top of any live family member's card.  Depending on what card he plays:

1. That family member's tragic score will either increase or decrease and the player must follow the instructions in the black text box on his future turns(Modifier card), or
2. Cause a player to follow instructions as outlined in the grey box (Event Card), or
3. Eliminate a family member (untimely death card).

• Once he has made two plays and followed all instructions, he draws cards to bring his hand back up to five, and it's the next player's turn
• The next player does the same thing, taking two turns and placing cards on top of any live family member.  He draws back up and the turn moves to the next player. 

Twists to watch out for when playing Gloom

As play goes along in Gloom your strategy can be derailed by another player or the cards themselves.  Here are a few things to remember:

• Players can not play an untimely death card and eliminate a family member on their second turn, only on the first turn.
• The instructions in the black or grey text box are to be followed by the player whose card was played upon.
• There are cards in the deck that can raise a family member from the dead!
• Family member cards can be covered by any number of event or modifier cards, but once an untimely death card is placed, that relative is done and out of play (unless resurrected later)
• You want to play cards with negative modifier cards on your family members and positive numbers on your opponents, but watch out.....your opponents will want to mess up your low scores!
• Some event cards allow a player to trade top cards, or discard and draw all new cards, increase or decrease your draw cards by one, choose cards to eliminate from another player's hand, etc.

Gloom may seem confusing at first, but players will catch on after a few rounds.  It is best to play a learning round to understand how the cards play, how the event card instructions changes the play and strategy in placing modifier cards.  Just remember, you want your family members to be covered by negative numbers before they meet their untimely deaths, and you want your opponent's characters' numbers to closer to zero.  Playing Gloom will flex your brain muscles, no doubt! But it will also provide a new game experience for teens and adults and hours of strategic fun!