The Princess Bride

This game is filled with love and fear, daring trials through which you steer, Work together as a team. And help Westley achieve his dream. It’s a book you’ll never shut, anybody want a peanut? This is The Princess Bride!

Once Upon A Time…

The whole board itself is one big book, it’d be rude not to take a look!

I am always nervous about board games that are based around books or films. It can be difficult to capture the essence of the original material, but The Princess Bride Adventure Book Game manages to do it. The whole film is about a Grandfather telling his grandson a story, so the board is a book that is separated into six chapters.

As you manage to complete each chapter, you turn the page onto the next section. It has the same layout as Die Hard: The Nakatomi Heist Board Game. You move around the board completing certain key events from the film, then you manipulate the board to reveal the next scene. It’s inconceivable!

Hold it, Hold it. Are You Trying To Trick Me? Where Are The Sports? Is This A Kissing Book?

Though the title is the Princess Bride, don’t expect just love inside…

You would expect a game based on a film to just be gimmicky, but I actually like the gameplay of the Princess Bride Adventure Book Game. Of course, all the components are very cute, but that is not the only thing Ravensburger has thought about. You need to collect certain story cards to be able to complete each of the story events.

There are five options: love, intrigue, adventure, courage and revenge. Each turn you collect two, so it can take a while to gather the right cards. That is where the cooperative element comes in. You and your fellow storytellers can trade a card once a turn, so you still have to be very aware of your next few moves. Decide how you are going to manage your cards steps ahead of time.

Moving is tricky too. You can only move two spaces per turn unless you discard story cards. If you discard too many vital cards, then you might not be able to complete your challenges in time. There is a balance to be struck.

Each turn you get your story cards, but you also have to draw a plot card. These trigger various actions around the board. Enemies might move or chores might be spawned. There will always be something to keep track of. Like Prince Humperdink, you will have a lot on your plate.

I’ll Explain. And I’ll Use Small Words So That You’ll Be Sure To Understand, You Warthog-faced Buffoon!

There might be lots to think about. But you won’t need to scream and shout.

Being a family film, the Princess Bride game hits the same demographic. While there might be a few things to keep track of, it isn’t too complex. The box says that it is for ages 10 and up, but it could probably work for younger gamers who are big fans of the film. The fact that it is cooperative means that you can work together as a family if you have anyone who isn’t getting the rules yet.

You have a variety of options when it comes to game length as well. Each chapter should take you around 15 minutes. You can do one chapter at a time for a quick session or you can do all 6 chapters at once for a more involved game.

There is even the option to replay your favourite chapter more than the others! Each one has different challenges to face. Once you can complete the game, you can drop in and out as you wish. My favourite was definitely the fire swamp. There are fire spurts, lightning sand, and Rodents of Unusual Size. What more could a person want?

Hello. My Name Is Inigo Montoya. You Killed My Father. Prepare To Die

The quote doesn’t link into this bit. But I couldn’t finish without saying it!

If you like The Princess Bride, or have kids that do, you will enjoy this game. It captures the charm of the film while managing not to be formulaic. The game designer has really tried to find something that suits the feel of the story. It could easily have been a trail you followed around just like The Game of Life, but they did better than that. This game doesn’t rely too heavily on the film gimmick; it stands on its own.

While it might not rely on the film too much, this game clearly knows what the fans want. They have picked the scenarios carefully, created adorable models of the characters and peppered the board with the most quotable lines. I can just hear the excited squeals that fans would make as they turn each page of the board. I can hear them because I made them. The Princess Bride Adventure Book Game might be a little easy for seasoned gamers, but for families who are fans of the film, it is perfect.