In the game Shamans, an all darkening and destructive shadow threatens to fall over the spiritual worlds. The only ones who can stop the threat are spiritual guides who can manipulate supernatural forces with their rituals and practices. These shamans, medicine men, priests and seers are closer to nature and the spirit world than anyone else with their magic, medicine and prophecies. However, these shamans and shamankas cannot be trusted unconditionally. Among them are also shadows who want nothing more than for darkness to prevail. Are you shaman enough? Then shaman up!
Shamans can be described as a trick taking game with hidden roles and special powers. In a number of rounds, players try to be the first to accumulate enough points to call themselves the victor. Each round the battle between shamans and shadows is settled. At the beginning of the round, everyone is assigned a secret role. You are shaman or shadow, but loyalty is fickle. Next, each player is given a number of playing cards, the remaining cards are placed to the appropriate worlds on the game board, and a pawn is also placed. If the pawn reaches the end of the game board within a set number of turns, the shadows win. If the pawn is not moved in time or the shadows are eliminated during the round, the shamans win. Depending on your affinity and outcome of a round, players accumulate victory points.
During a round, the leader plays a card. Cards come in different colors in ascending values. The other players may now follow by playing a card in the same color or playing a card in a different color, but then the pawn moves one step toward the end of the game board. By ensuring that the pawn moves, you may quickly reveal your secret role… The player with the lowest card in the target color, may take an artifact. Artifacts can be used by players to reveal roles, eliminate other players, earn extra points or move the pawn. The player with the highest card in the target color, is the new leader and places playing cards to the worlds of the same color on the game board. When all cards of a color are on the board, the effect of that world is applied by the new leader. Roles can change, the pawn can move, and players can be eliminated by collected artifacts.
Shamans is a very fun twist on a trick taking game, but at the same time it no longer feels like a trick taking game. Shamans is a smart, smooth and elegant game. Gameplay is tactical and at the same time very cunning. By cleverly placing cards in the right order, you can keep other players in the dark about your intentions and activate effects and move the pawn at times that suit you best. The game is also fantastically designed and the production value is superb. The cards are thick, glossy and fluorescent. The role cards also have been embossed. Highly recommended for fans of devious and fast paced card games!
