Bristol 1350 is a fascinating game from Facade Games, packaged cleverly to resemble a book, making it not only a game but a striking piece on any shelf. This thematic presentation aligns with Facade Games’ tradition of blending appealing aesthetics with engaging gameplay. Here’s a dive into the components and mechanics of Bristol 1350.

The game is set in the medieval city of Bristol during the outbreak of the Black Death. The board depicts the city and its surrounding areas with a vintage map aesthetic. Players move their pieces, which are wonderfully crafted miniature carts and rats, around this map. Each cart is designed to hold several player pieces, representing the citizens trying to flee the city amidst the chaos of the plague. The pieces also include apple tokens, which are used to represent the health status of players, and death dice, which help determine the spread of the plague among the players.

The goal of Bristol 1350 is to escape the city in one of the three available carts without contracting the plague. Players begin the game by rolling dice to move the carts along the predetermined paths out of the city. At the same time, they must manage their risk of infection, which can be influenced by the actions of other players and the roll of the death dice. Each turn, players can choose to switch carts, throw suspicious rats from the carts to reduce the risk of infection, or use remedy cards to prevent infection. The game ends when one or more carts have successfully escaped, and then it is revealed who is infected and who is not. The uninfected in an uncontaminated cart win the game.

The blend of strategy and social deduction in Bristol 1350 makes every game an unpredictable journey. As carts rattle down cobblestone paths, the tension mounts—not just from the literal roll of the dice but from the whispered alliances and accusations among players. Each decision to switch carts or throw out a potentially plague-carrying rat adds layers of intrigue and suspicion. For those who revel in the mingling of history with tactical gameplay and the thrill of a good mystery.

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