Masques

Arclight Games, Cool Mini Or Not, Edge Entertainment · Board game · 2010
2–4 · best 4 45 min Weight 2.0/5
7.3 rating Ludopedia
6.5 rating BGG
Buy · from US$ 10.33
7.3 rating Ludopedia
6.5 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy a quick game of political intrigue and influence-grabbing, Masques might be your pick! It's easy to learn and offers some fun 'eye for an eye' plays.

Highlights
  • Political intrigue and influence
  • Easy to learn
  • Quick playtime
  • Direct interaction
Keep in mind
  • Memory dependent
  • Can have luck
  • Light theme
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In Masques (also known as Intrigo), you step into the shoes of an ambitious Venetian family head, ready to dominate the city's political scene. The setting is a lavish masquerade ball hosted by the Doge, where your most influential representatives mingle among the elite. The goal? To capture the attention of guild masters and amass the most political power for your house. To achieve this, you'll deploy 'guest' cards, each possessing a unique influence level and special abilities – think merchants, assassins, and gondoliers. The clever twist is that you can even use your opponents' cards against them, creating a fascinating dynamic of manipulation and counter-manipulation. The rooms within the Doge's palace hold guild favors and precious ducats, all up for grabs in areas of influence scattered throughout the halls. Each card represents a member of one of the families in play, and strategic placement is key to securing these resources. It's a card game with a strong political flavor, where managing your hand and a bit of memory can lead you to victory. With quick gameplay and accessible rules, Masques is a great choice for those who enjoy courtly intrigue and a good influence challenge.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 OK
3 REC
4 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Cities: Venice (Veneto, Italy) Country: Italy
Publisher Arclight Games, Cool Mini Or Not, Edge Entertainment, Fantasy Flight Games, Game Harbor, Giochi Uniti, Hazgaard Editions, KADABRA, Kaissa Chess & Games, Menart, Spaghetti Western Games
Designer Catherine Dumas, Charles Chevallier, Pascal Pelemans
Artist Édouard Guiton, Goulven Quentel, Miguel Coimbra

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

3,442owners
181wishlist
26want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the average playtime for Masques?
A game of Masques typically lasts around 45 minutes, making it quite dynamic.
How many players can participate?
The game is designed for 2 to 4 players and works well at all player counts.
Is Masques a difficult game to learn?
No, the rules are quite straightforward, and the game is considered light to moderately complex, making it great for introducing new players.
What are the main components of the game?
The game primarily features cards representing guests and their influence, along with markers for resources and influence in the rooms.
Who would you recommend Masques to?
We recommend it for players who enjoy games with a political theme, hand management, and a bit of memory, with direct player interaction.
Is the game's theme well-integrated?
The Venetian masquerade ball theme adds charm, but the main focus is on the mechanics of influence and power struggles.

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