The Big Book of Madness

IELLO, 2 Pionki, Broadway Toys LTD · Board game · 2015
7.8 Ludopedia 6.9 BGG 2–5 · best 3 60–90 min Weight 2.7/5
Buy · from US$ 26.99
7.8 rating Ludopedia
6.9 rating BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS

If you enjoy a cooperative game with a magic theme and a challenge that keeps you on the edge of your seat, The Big Book of Madness is for you! The tension of facing monsters and the curses they bring is the highlight.

Highlights
  • Tense and thematic co-op
  • Engaging deck-building
  • Unique character powers
  • Constant escalating challenge
Keep in mind
  • Player elimination possible
  • High language dependency
  • Initial learning curve
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

Hey everyone! Tired of being wizard apprentices who can only light a spark on their finger? In The Big Book of Madness, things get serious! You sneak into the school library looking for a mysterious book and, naturally, unleash a horde of evil creatures bent on destroying the world. Now, the mission is yours: learn spells and fight these monsters before it's too late. It's a cooperative game where everyone works together as a true team of wizards-in-training. Each player has their own elemental deck that they'll power up during the game, using cards to learn spells, strengthen their deck, heal curses, or even make the enemies' lives miserable. But watch out, because the monsters don't stand still! They cast incredibly annoying curses that force you to discard cards, add madness cards to your deck, and can leave you without spells. To win, you need to flip six pages of the book and defeat the final monster. It's quite a challenge, involving plenty of hand management, deck building, and unique powers for each player. Get ready for madness and to save the world, one spell at a time!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

7 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–5 players
2 REC
3 BEST
4 REC
5 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Theme: Books / Libraries Theme: Boss Battle
Publisher IELLO, 2 Pionki, Broadway Toys LTD, Bureau de Juegos, Devir, Heidelberger Spieleverlag, Hobby Japan, Origames, Portal Games, Redbox Editora (Redbox), Reflexshop, Rexhry, uplay.it edizioni
Designer Maxime Rambourg
Artist Xavier Gueniffey Durin

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

12,613owners
1,791wishlist
162want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the average playtime?
A game of The Big Book of Madness typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on player experience and how many curses pop up!
How many players can play?
The game is designed for 2 to 5 players. It plays well at different counts, but communication is key in all of them!
Are the rules difficult to learn?
The basic rules are accessible, but mastering the strategies and the synergy between character powers and cards takes a few plays. The complexity is moderate.
Do I need to know English to play?
Yes, unfortunately, the game has a considerable language dependency, with many spell, monster, and curse cards that need to be read. A translation is highly recommended.
Can the game be too punishing?
It can be quite challenging! Monster curses can significantly complicate players' lives, and player elimination is a possibility, which might frustrate some.
Is it more focused on combat or resource management?
It's a balance! You need to manage your cards (hand and deck) well to cast spells and fight monsters, which in turn cast curses that affect your management.

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