The board game Gloom, designed by Keith Baker, is a thematically unique and darkly humorous storytelling card game in which players compete to give their eccentric families the most tragic ending possible.
In Gloom, players control families of eccentric characters living in a gloomy Victorian world. Instead of wishing them happiness, players aim to burden them with as many dreadful and tragic misfortunes as possible—leading up to their miserable demise. The game is filled with grotesque events such as “Pursued by Poodles” or “Lost in the Fog,” all infused with a generous dose of dark humor.
One of the game’s most innovative features is its transparent cards, which are stacked on top of one another. This allows effects and scores to overlap, providing a visual way to track changes. Each card represents an event that the player adds to their character’s story, encouraging creativity and improvisation. The goal is for characters to accumulate as many negative points (misfortunes) as possible before they die. The winner is the player whose family has suffered the most. Players can also play positive events (such as “Invited to a Picnic”) on their opponents’ characters to reduce their negative points.
Gloom is an excellent choice for players who enjoy storytelling, dark humor, and unusual twists. It’s perfect for game nights with friends who appreciate creativity and laughter born from tragic events. 🦇
