Kinfire Delve: Callous' Lab

Incredible Dream Studios, Gémklub, HIT Games · Board game · 2024
1–2 · best 2 Solo 60 min Weight 2.2/5
8.2 rating Ludopedia
8.0 rating BGG
8.2 rating Ludopedia
8.0 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you enjoy a tactical cooperative card game with a good dose of challenge, Kinfire Delve: Callous' Lab is for you. It's a tense and rewarding journey against a sinister villain!

Highlights
  • Intense cooperative play
  • Clever multi-use cards
  • Immersive theme
  • Constant challenge
  • Robust solo mode
Keep in mind
  • Can be punishing
  • Requires teamwork
  • Dice luck matters
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About the game
In Kinfire Delve: Callous' Lab, get ready for a tactical and cooperative adventure that throws you straight into Callous' Well, a place full of sinister challenges. Your goal? To fight your way through a deck of 57 challenge cards until you confront the Master of the Well himself in an epic final battle. The Well is represented by four active cards, and with each overcome challenge, a new one emerges to test your team.

The core mechanic is quite clever: you can only play a skill card from your hand if its color matches the current challenge card's color. Some cards are wild (white) or have two colors, which adds a layer of strategy. If you can't defeat a challenge on the first try, you can make some progress and try again, but beware of penalties! Your fellow seekers can give you a boost by playing their own cards, but keep an eye on your hand. Running out of cards earns you an exhaustion card, and they are never good news – some are worse than others!

Each victory rewards you, whether by regaining health or allowing you to delve deeper into the Well, discarding unseen challenges. Health is shared among all seekers, so if it reaches zero, the game ends for everyone. This is a title that demands a lot of collaboration and persistence, as the Wells of Atios are unpredictable and dangerous. It's a race against time and adversity to reach Callous and emerge victorious.
Rules videos

In English

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Game details

Categories

Families

Category: Dungeon Crawler Misc: LongPack Games Players: Games with Solitaire Rules Players: Two-Player Only Games Setting: Kinfire Chronicles
Publisher Incredible Dream Studios, Gémklub, HIT Games, Old Dawg, PIF GAMES, Portal Games, Ігромаг
Designer Kevin Wilson
Artist Katarzyna Bekus, Sandra Chlewińska, Vesna "vesner" Redesiuk, Wiktor Kozyra
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players does Kinfire Delve: Callous' Lab support?
It's perfect for 1 to 2 players, making it a great choice for both solo play and a two-player gaming session.
What's the average game duration?
A game typically takes about 60 minutes. It's an ideal length for a complete experience without overstaying its welcome.
What is the game's complexity level?
With a BGG weight of 2.17, it's considered medium complexity. It's not a super simple entry-level game, but also not a heavy 'brain burner'. It's accessible and strategic in just the right measure.
What are the main components of the game?
The game is card-centric, so expect a robust deck of challenge and skill cards, plus dice and other tokens to track health and progress.
Who is this game best suited for?
It's ideal for fans of cooperative games who enjoy a tactical approach with hand management and a fantasy/horror theme. If you like a good challenge and don't mind losing together, you'll love it!
Is there language dependence on the cards?
Yes, there is moderate language dependence on the cards. While Ludofun has announced a national version for Brazil, for the imported version, it might be helpful to have a translation handy.
Is it necessary to know the Kinfire Chronicles universe to play?
It's not necessary, but if you're already familiar with the Kinfire Chronicles setting, you'll feel even more immersed in the story and characters. It's a standalone experience, but with a bonus for fans.