Masquerade (2003)

About this game

This Japanese fantasy card game (with English rules and translation on the cards) has each player take control of a powerful entity that tries to take over a fantasy/manga-themed world. Each player assumes a secret mask with hidden VP-bonus and sends out a "dancer" to fulfill various functions at 6 different "stages" (or rather "adventure places"). Players can try to accumulate spell cards, heal, trigger events, fight monsters for treasure, or fight other players for VP's. The spell cards are musically themed with names like "Nocturne" or "Fugue". The game uses a small deck of (very sturdy) cards, and the assortment of game elements allows for a variety of strategies. Although the game utilizes relatively few luck elements, it becomes chaotic through the many different effects of the cards and the variable dancer powers.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 3 to 5.
• Rules load. At 2.3/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 10 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.