In today’s economy, things cannot just have a single purpose. Single purpose shampoo? Nah, give me 5-in-1. My smartphone now functions as a phone, a camera, a GPS, a music player, a gaming device and an internet browser.
Which is why I am loving Dungeon Solitaire, a fantasy game played with tarot cards. Labyrinth of Souls is an intriguing expansion to the Dungeon Solitaire game that brings a wealth of new features and complexities to the table. The dungeon is larger, with more dangers, treasures, and magic items to discover. New additions include mazes, a magic sword, a potion of invisibility, heavenly gemstones, rations cards, corruption cards, companion characters, and a dragon. There are also new game modes, such as two-player, megadungeon, and campaign modes, along with alternate rules for undead monsters and additional magic items.
One of the most exciting aspects of Labyrinth of Souls is the artwork by Josephe Vandel. Vandel’s work adds a beautiful and unique touch to the game, especially with the custom-designed tarot deck. The cards are poker-sized, printed on 305 gsm black core card stock, the same quality used for Magic: The Gathering. This choice makes them durable for heavy play, though I recommend using sleeves to protect the cards.
The gameplay itself is brutal and requires careful strategy. The mechanics of placing the discard pile back on top of the draw deck can turn the tide against you, and blessings must be used judiciously to avoid becoming a dungeon minion. This level of challenge keeps the game engaging and makes each decision impactful.
One major drawback for me is although I love the general concept and artwork, I find that many of the cards are too dark, and some of the finer details are lost. Might not be an issue if you’re using it for gaming, but this could be jarring if you’re using it for tarot readings.
The rulebook, although comprehensive, can be verbose and repetitive. This extensive detail ensures clarity but makes navigation cumbersome. The fluff and accessory pages, while nice, add to the bulk unnecessarily.
Labyrinth of Souls is a game worth exploring, particularly if you enjoy challenging and strategic gameplay. The free “Tomb of the Four Kings” version available on Matthew Lowes’ website is a great way to get a taste of what the game offers. If you find it intriguing, investing in the full rulebook and then the special deck is a logical progression. While the special deck enhances the game, it’s not essential until the game proves its worth to you.
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