Obsession is a strategic Euro game set in Victorian England where players manage troubled family estates, hosting activities with servants and gentry to restore their reputation. The game combines worker placement, hand management, and tile placement as players renovate their estates and compete in refined Victorian society over 16-20 turns.
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The Verdict
based on 28 reviews
“OUI OUI OUI: I LOVE THIS GAME. I MUST HAVE THIS GAME.”
“I love Obsession. I believe Dan Hallagan, through his Kayenta Games label, has created a masterpiece with this highly thematic title.”
“Obsession is considered a terrific masterpiece by Geeks Under Grace, lauded for its deep strategy and strong thematic immersion that successfully brings the Victorian elitism era to life, making it an absolute must-play board game.”
The reviewer enthusiastically praises "Obsession," declaring it her all-time favorite solo game and the only one she has rated a perfect 10 out of 10. She highlights its delightful blend of engaging mechanics and thematic storytelling, making each play a memorable experience.
The reviewer is highly enthusiastic about 'Obsession', calling it a wonderful and highly thematic strategy game set in Victorian England, filled with pride, intrigue, and prejudice, where players manage their household, reputation, and guests.
“Obsession is indie board gaming at its very best, a true accomplishment by designer and publisher, Dan Hallagan, and a real treat for true gamers. The thematic detail combined with the smooth and engaging mechanics create a memorable and enjoyable experience.”
The reviewer considers "Obsession" a stellar board game, praising its high-quality components, engaging gameplay, and immersive theme as a well-executed passion project, despite minor concerns regarding player interaction and a degree of luck.
The reviewer highly recommends Obsession, calling it a solid, fun, and accessible game that offers an elegant experience of managing resources in a non-competitive worker placement setting, affirming its permanent place in his collection.
The reviewer praises "Obsession" as a fantastic and unique Euro-style game, highlighting its strong thematic elements and relaxing gameplay, with particular enjoyment derived from the personality infused by its cards and flavor text.
“Obsession achieves what it sets out to do—emulate the romance and comedy of errors captured by Jane Austen novels while also providing a quality board game experience.”
“Obsession, on the other hand, is an exemplar when it comes to making a thinky game that’s practically brimming with life and colour.”
Tom Vasel found Obsession to be a well-themed and engaging game that skillfully captures the Victorian era, despite minor issues with card size and some player interaction over servants.
The reviewers found Obsession to be a surprisingly enjoyable and mechanically sound engine builder that skillfully integrates its theme, making it a highly recommended choice for players seeking a medium-complexity game, especially those who appreciate its genre.
The reviewer highly praises Obsession for its exceptionally well-captured Victorian theme, fantastic components, and solid Eurogame mechanics that demand strategic action optimization. They note that while the game is excellent, its medium-heavy nature and specific historical theme might not appeal to all players.
The reviewer highly recommends "Obsession," particularly for fans of Jane Austen or Downton Abbey, praising its thematic integration and emergent storytelling opportunities. It's considered a good choice for light to medium-weight Eurogame enthusiasts who enjoy strategic gameplay and a simple solo mode, though players who dislike randomness or seek complex AI might find it less appealing.
The game offers a delightful hand-building experience with varied rooms and characters, playing faster than anticipated and effectively capturing its Pride and Prejudice-era theme, despite some minor issues with card size and overall visual presentation.
“Obsession is an absolutely solid bit of game design that fully embraces its setting and narrative in a way you don’t see often outside of Arkham, Massachusetts. Obsession is a game that succeeds as a story telling device, which is surprising considering how euro-tastic the design of the game actually is.”
“Obsession delivers a fun, thematic experience and at the same time has you deliberating harder over events and guests lists than you have done since your own wedding when you had to make sure that auntie Carol and uncle Roger weren’t on the same table because…well, you know. Come for the theme, stay for the brilliant puzzle and remember to not overwork your staff.”
“The reviewer highly praises Obsession as a deeply thematic and satisfying game where players build intricate engines and carefully manage events and guests, stating it is definitively worth its widespread acclaim and will endure as a beloved title.”
The reviewer finds Obsession a genuinely enjoyable game, noting that her appreciation for it has grown since her initial review. She highly recommends it as a great option for those seeking a solo game with an engaging theme and excellent flavor text.
The reviewer considers Obsession an outstanding and timeless Euro-style game, praising its interesting theme, originality, and ability to satisfy multiple gameplay preferences, despite some concerns about downtime with more players.
Specifically Solo highly recommends Obsession as a fantastic solo board game, praising its engaging gameplay, easy-to-run solo mode, and strong thematic integration, despite a minor quibble about card size.
The reviewer suggests that Obsession is a compelling and thematic game set in Victorian England, highlighting its engaging gameplay and considering it a 'new classic' within the board gaming hobby.
“If I could travel back to last year when it was on Kickstarter, armed with the experience and knowledge I have of the game so far and with the money available to back it in my bank account, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to back the game.”
“Simply put, it is a treat to play. If this theme strikes your fancy at all, I highly recommend you find a way to play this game as it could be your next favorite.”
The reviewer found 'Obsession' to be a great game that excels in theme, tactics, and strategy, despite some minor quibbles like the need for a better insert, and ultimately decided to keep it in their collection.
The reviewer describes "Obsession" as a super relaxing Euro experience with unique mechanisms and a strong theme, particularly enjoyable with three players. However, they note it is not ideal for solo play and can be a hard sell for some players due to its theme.
“But despite that, this is a “buy or play.” I feel like Obsession deserves your time to be played, and it feels like it’s one that every needs to play at least once, but I’m not sure it’s a purchase for everyone.”
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