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Love Letter

Alderac Entertainment Group, Kanai Factory, (Web published) · Board game · 2012
2–4 · best 4 20 min Weight 1.2/5
7.6 rating Ludopedia
7.2 rating BGG
How to Play Buy · from US$ 2.06
7.6 rating Ludopedia
7.2 rating BGG
Buy · from US$ 2.06 How to Play
Our Verdict

If you're looking for a quick, clever game of deduction and bluffing, Love Letter is a brilliant choice that proves less is often more. It's perfect for those who enjoy big decisions in a small package.

Highlights
  • Elegant deduction and bluffing gameplay
  • Extremely portable and quick to play
  • High replayability in a tiny box
  • Engaging tension with few components
Keep in mind
  • Can feel random with bad draws
  • Limited strategic depth for some
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our interactive rules guide and exclusive illustrated infographic.
Access Rules Guide
About the game
Love Letter is a minimalist card game that packs a punch of bluffing, deduction, and tension. Set in the kingdom of Tempest, the goal is simple: deliver your love letter to Princess Annette while sabotaging your rivals. Each game starts with just one card in hand (and one card mysteriously removed from the 16-card deck), creating a cat-and-mouse game where you must guess what others hold. Playing a powerful card gives you an immediate edge but paints a target on your back. Weaker cards are safe but might leave your love letter literally burning in the fire. In 20 minutes, you experience a courtly micro-drama full of twists, where a single round can decide everything. It's one of those games that proves you don't need a thousand components to be brilliant—just a velvet bag, 16 cards, and plenty of trash talk after your opponent's move.
Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — Love Letter English · PDF
Download PDF
BEST PLAYER COUNT
2 OK
3 REC
4 BEST
WHERE TO BUY
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Game details

Mechanics

Deduction Hand Management Player Elimination Score-and-Reset Game Take That

Categories

Card Game Deduction Renaissance

Families

Card Games: Draw and Discard Characters: Pummeleinhorn / Pummel & Friends Containers: Drawstring Bag Digital Implementations: Apple App Store Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena Digital Implementations: Google Play
Publisher Alderac Entertainment Group, Kanai Factory, (Web published), 963.com, 999 Games, Arclight Games
Designer Seiji Kanai
Artist Andrew Hepworth, Jeff Himmelman, John Kovalic, Kali Fitzgerald, Nina Matsumoto, Robb Miller
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players?
2-4 players. With 2, it's more cerebral and pure bluff; with 3-4, interaction and deduction ramp up significantly.
Average game length?
About 20 minutes. It's a quick filler, perfect for bridging gaps between heavier games or for multiple rounds in a row.
Is it hard to learn?
Not at all! The rules fit on one card. Complexity comes from decisions and reading opponents, not the mechanics themselves.
What's in the box?
A velvet bag, 16 illustrated cards, 'heart' tokens for scoring, and a very short rulebook.
Is there a lot of luck?
There's a dose of luck in the draw, but the game is dominated by bluffing, deduction, and calculated risk. Skilled players usually win.
Can kids play?
Yes, from about 8-10 years old, as long as they grasp basic bluffing. It's a great gateway to modern card games.
What is 'player elimination'? Does it hurt?
It means you can be 'knocked out' of a round if your card is discovered. But with 20-minute games, you're back in the next round in 5 minutes!
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