Catharsis (2022)

About this game

Catharsis is a solo & cooperative board game for 1-5 players who are heroes trying to stop one of the many corruptions spreading through the lands. The game requires strategy, cooperation, and a touch of luck to succeed as the party fights through traps, monsters, and more. Each game is a different experience as each hero has a deck of powers they draw from, creating unique synergies every playthrough. Moreover, the players must hunt down a boss by progressing through its Boss deck, a unique deck of cards for each boss and randomized for each game. The players must carefully balance using their skills and creeping closer to death with burning through their morale and giving up in despair. The game lasts 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, and by the end, win or lose, you will definitely be excited for your next challenge! —description from the designer

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 1 to 5. It has a designed solo mode.
• Rules load. At 2.7/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.