# The Stifling Dark

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2024
- **BGG Rating**: 7.4
- **BGG Rank**: #6307
- **Players**: 2-5 (Best with: 5)
- **Duration**: 60-120 min
- **Weight**: 3.17 / 5
- **Designers**: Ethan Janssen, Jeremy Geenen, Matt Rayford
- **Artists**: Cory Freeman
- **Publishers**: Sophisticated Cerberus Games, LLC, Game Harbor, Maldito Games
- **Categories**: Deduction, Horror
- **Mechanics**: Deduction, Hidden Movement, Line of Sight, Memory, Negotiation, Pick-up and Deliver, Point to Point Movement, Team-Based Game, Trading, Variable Player Powers

## Verdict
If you enjoy a good cat-and-mouse game with a generous dose of suspense and horror, The Stifling Dark is a fantastic choice! The hidden movement mechanic combined with the investigators' line of sight creates palpable tension with every turn, making you feel the weight of your decisions. It's a game that shines in its asymmetry and the need for communication (or the Adversary's bluff), delivering an immersive and adrenaline-filled experience.Constant, immersive tensionInnovative hidden movementInteresting asymmetric powersHigh replayabilityWell-executed horror themeCan be frustrating for investigatorsInitial learning curveRelies on team communicationHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
In The Stifling Dark, get ready for a hidden-movement horror experience where one-vs-many is the rule of the game. 2 to 5 players dive into a suspenseful plot, with one player taking on the role of the Adversary, whose sole goal is to prevent the Investigators from escaping. The innovative line-of-sight mechanic, or flashlight as we like to call it, adds an extra layer of tension and strategy, as visibility is everything (or almost everything) for the Investigators.

As an Investigator, your mission is clear: survive and find a way out. You move across the board point-to-point, using your base speed and the option to sprint, but watch your stamina to avoid exhaustion! Additionally, it's crucial to pick up and use items, lock or unlock doors, and, of course, use your flashlight to try and locate the Adversary lurking in the shadows. Each Investigator has unique abilities, ensuring a good variety of strategies and replayability.

Meanwhile, the Adversary moves secretly, using a series of attacks and abilities to sow chaos and prevent escape. The Adversary's victory conditions vary, adding an element of surprise to each game. Investigators will need to decide whether it's better to stick together to watch each other's backs or split up to cover more ground in search of the exits. Whether fixing a car or overriding a gate, speed is essential, as the longer the game takes, the greater the Adversary's chances of catching you. The game ends when all Investigators escape, securing their victory, or when the Adversary fulfills their triumph condition. Which side will you choose?

## FAQ
### How many players does The Stifling Dark support?
The game is designed for 2 to 5 players. One player will always be the Adversary, and the others will be the Investigators, working as a team.

### What is the average playtime for a game?
A game of The Stifling Dark typically lasts between 60 and 120 minutes, depending on the number of players and the group's experience.

### What is the complexity level of the game?
The Stifling Dark has a BGG weight of 3.1667/5, classifying it as a medium-complexity game. It's not super simple, but it's also not overly difficult to learn.

### What are the main components of the game?
The game includes a modular board, standees to represent characters, ability and item cards, and other tokens to track game state and Investigator stamina.

### Is The Stifling Dark a cooperative game?
Yes and no! It's an asymmetric 'one versus many' game. The Investigators play cooperatively with each other to escape, while the Adversary plays alone to stop them.

### Does the game have much replayability?
Absolutely! The variety of Investigators and Adversaries, each with unique abilities and different victory conditions, plus the strategic decisions in each game, ensure that every session is a new and exciting experience.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
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