7.6
rating
Ludopedia
6.7
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy pulp horror adventures with mechanics that blend luck and strategy, Ancient Terrible Things might be your jam!
Highlights
- Dice rolling with decisions
- Clever resource management
- Engaging pulp horror theme
- Satisfying set collection
Keep in mind
- Luck can be cruel
- Language dependency on cards
- A bit too much luck
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Embark on a pulp horror adventure in Ancient Terrible Things, where you and up to three other intrepid explorers brave a dark jungle river. Each turn, it's time to visit a fateful location, face an ominous encounter, and attempt to unlock its ancient secrets. Success, achieved through a clever mix of dice, tokens, and cards, rewards you with these point-scoring secrets. But beware! Failing an encounter can unleash a Terrible Thing, which counts against your score at the end of the game. The goal is to accumulate the most secrets by the time the unspeakable event occurs. Gameplay revolves around rolling dice to form combinations – runs, pairs, three of a kind, or even a specific die result. These combinations are crucial for overcoming encounters that grant points and for acquiring valuable resources like Focus (to re-roll dice), Courage (to face challenges before rolling), Treasure (to buy permanent upgrades at the trading post), and Feat (to use special abilities from hand cards). It's a game that tests your luck and resource management skills to overcome the horrors lurking in the jungle.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
REC
3
BEST
4
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Pleasant Company Games, Feuerland Spiele, Redbox Editora (Redbox)
Designer
Simon McGregor
Artist
Rob van Zyl
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
3,815owners
593wishlist
85want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
What is the average playtime for Ancient Terrible Things?
A game typically lasts around 60 minutes, making it suitable for a quick game session.
How many players can participate?
The game is designed for 2 to 4 players and plays well across different player counts.
Is the game very complex?
With a BGG weight of 2.07/5, it's considered moderately complex, accessible to those familiar with some board games.
Do I need to know English to play?
Yes, the game has moderate language dependency, mainly on encounter and ability cards. A translated reference sheet is recommended.
What are the main components?
Custom dice, resource tokens (Focus, Courage, Treasure, Feat), Encounter cards, Swag cards, and Terrible Thing markers.
Is it a game for luck or strategy lovers?
It's a nice mix! You roll dice, but use resources to mitigate luck and make strategic decisions about when to face challenges and which upgrades to pursue.
Who would you recommend Ancient Terrible Things for?
For fans of dice games with a 'push your luck' element, who enjoy pulp adventure themes with a touch of horror and don't mind some language dependency.
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