The LOOP

Catch Up Games, Across the Board, Blackrock Games · Board game · 2020
1–4 · best 2 Solo 60 min Weight 2.8/5
8.5 rating Ludopedia
7.7 rating BGG
8.5 rating Ludopedia
7.7 rating BGG
Our Verdict

Perfect for those who love cooperative puzzles and satisfying combos in a fun sci-fi setting.

Highlights
  • LOOP mechanic creates amazing combos
  • Cube tower adds tactile tension
  • High replayability via different game modes
  • Charming retro-futuristic aesthetic
Keep in mind
  • Significant language dependency
  • Moderate initial learning curve
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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About the game
Get ready to save the space-time continuum! In The LOOP, you and your friends are Temporal Agents with a critical mission: stop Dr. Faux, a completely mad scientist, from dominating the universe with his 'Omniscience 2000' project. The catch? The Doctor is scattering clones of himself across seven different eras and opening quantum rifts that could destroy everything.

The game is a frantic cooperative puzzle where communication is the heart of the experience. You'll use powerful Artifacts and the brilliant 'LOOP' mechanic, which allows you to activate the same card multiple times in explosive sequences to maximize efficiency. But don't be fooled: Dr. Faux doesn't play fair. He has a 3D machine that drops cubes randomly, creating unpredictability that forces the group to adapt their strategy on the fly.

Replayability is incredibly high thanks to four distinct game modes. You can start with S.A.B.O.T.A.G.E. (the base experience), face the Sayan Supa Clones (buffed-up versions of the clones), deal with L.A.S.E.R. Centrifuges (which limit action types by dimension), or tackle the Ultramachina, an escalation mode with evolving threats. Victory is achieved by completing missions, but defeat is always lurking: too many vortexes, failed missions, or running out of time will turn the universe into cosmic dust. With a retro-futuristic aesthetic and biting humor, The LOOP blends the tension of games like Pandemic with the satisfaction of building complex combos, all while trying to prevent the timeline from collapsing.
Rules videos

In English

BEST PLAYER COUNT
1 REC
2 BEST
3 REC
4 REC
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Game details

Families

Components: Drop Tower Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Theme: Mad Science / Mad Scientist Theme: Physics Theme: Time Travel
Publisher Catch Up Games, Across the Board, Blackrock Games, Board Game Box, GaGa Games, Geekach LLC, HANALL M&C, Lucrum Games, Pandasaurus Games
Designer Maxime Rambourg, Théo Rivière
Artist Simon Caruso
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the game too difficult?
It's a tactical challenge. Not impossible, but it requires coordination and planning among players to avoid being overwhelmed by Dr. Faux.
Can I play it solo?
Yes! The game supports a solo mode, allowing you to manage the timeline on your own.
How long does a game take?
Generally between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the chosen game mode.
Is translation needed to play?
Yes, there is significant language dependency due to the text on Artifact and mission cards.
Who is this game for?
For fans of cooperative games, sci-fi enthusiasts, and players who enjoy building combos and solving problems as a team.