Kinfire Delve (Callous' Lab & Scorn's Stockade) Card Game Review

Kinfire Delve

WBG Score: 8.5/10

Player Count: 1-2 (4* with second copy)

You’ll like this if you like: Something small deliver somehting that feels bigger

Published by: Incredible Dream Studios

Designed by: Kevin Wilson

This is a free review copy. See our review policy here.

Kinfire Delve uses characters from the Kinfire world, as seen in Kinfire Chronicles and Kinfire Council. There are three games in the Delve system; here we are looking at two of those: Callous' Lab & Scorn's Stockade. They all work the same, offering two heroes known as Seekers to play with, and one bad guy to fight, known as Masters. They are all standalone 1-2 player games but can be combined simply to offer more variety or to boost the game up to a four-player experience. So, with that said, let's get these to the table and see how they play.

How To Set Up Kinfire Delve

First, separate all the different cards, as shown by their different card backs. There will be three cards for the Master; shuffle them up and pick one at random, placing your chosen one face down in the centre of the play area. Now, take the Well deck, which will be the biggest one. Give this a good shuffle and remove the top three cards. You can remove more for a shorter game if you wish. Then place four cards face up surrounding the Master card, above, below, and on either side of it. Place the rest of the Well cards in a face-down deck next to this. Now find the Master's four final Gauntlet cards and set them aside on the table to use later. Next, set aside the progress tokens, and place them in two separate piles to the side along with the dice. One of the dice, the black one, represents your health. Set it to 10 for a normal game, 8 for a hard one. This is a group collective health so doesn't change with player count. If you took more than three cards out from the Well deck for a shorter game, you must now remove two from your health total. Now, place out the Exhausted cards, shuffled in a face down pile.

Finally, each player takes one of the two characters. Or, you can use characters from other boxes if you prefer. Remove their character card, placing it face up in front of you, and their Lantern card, placing it face down beside this. The Lantern card is a powerful card you can use when charged up. This will be self-evident, generally by doing something as shown on one of your other cards, but you will generally only get to use it once or twice if you are lucky per game. Then shuffle the remaining 18 cards and draw seven into your starting hand. One more for a single-player game. One less for a three-player game, and two less for a four-player game. You are now ready to play.

How To Play Kinfire Delve

Players will now take turns interacting with one of the four cards surrounding the Master card. These will either be Event cards or Challenges. Event cards will detail what they do and how they work on them. To interact with them, simply do as the card says on your turn. When you choose a challenge card, it will have either a red, green, or blue border. On the top left, it will also show the challenge score you need to equal or beat. There will also be some text on the card that details more effects of how the challenge works. If the text is in bold, this card will have an effect in play all the time the card is here, whether you challenge it this turn or not. It could affect other challenge totals, so be sure to read all bold text out when you play any new challenge card down.

OK, now that you have picked which challenge card you want to interact with, you can make a choice. Do you want to play one of your cards from your hand to help complete this challenge? The challenges will come in all types: Combat, Obstacles, Puzzles, and Traps. You can only play a card that matches the colour, but it could be any type. Although, some cards and characters do better against certain types of challenges. If you play a card, it will have a number on the top left that will reduce the challenge card number by the same amount. If you play a card, and you don't have to, the other player(s) can now choose to boost this card if they want. In a solo, you can boost yourself. In multiplayer, only other players can boost. You can boost with one or two cards. No more. If you boost, you are looking at the boost score on the bottom of the card. Everything else on that card becomes redundant. Again, you need to match the colour of the challenge with the colour of the boost card. Note, white is wild for all effects like this. Any boost played at this point will add to your total of what you are chipping away at against the challenge card's total. Now finally, you MUST roll the dice. Whether you played a card or not, whether you had your card boosted or not, you must always roll dice.

The dice faces show colours matching the challenge cards, as well as one that shows a white and black face. The whites are wild and can be added to any matching colours rolled to add to the total of your attempt at that challenge. The black dice may have a counter effect. Check the current challenge card's text, the face-up text on the Masters card, and on any other cards you may have played at that point. If you successfully meet or exceed the challenge, then you will gain the reward as shown on the card. This will mostly be to discard a certain number of cards from the Well deck, to delve down deeper, quicker. If you did not, add challenge tokens to the total you met to the card to show the progress you made. Your attempt was not in vain, but the card will show a fail effect that you must now take. This could be to lose health, discard cards, or some other effect.

Once this is done, replace any of the four cards around the Master that may now not be there with the top card from the Well deck, and play moves to the next player. Note, there is no drawing back up to your hand limit or anything like that. Players need to manage their hand carefully, using various powers to draw back up cards and help their fellow Seekers gain additional cards. If you ever run out or decide you want to get more cards, you can draw back up to your hand limit, but you must also draw the top Exhausted card, read it, and place it face up for all to see. These are always bad and can sometimes mean you immediately lose the game if you get too many. If you do this, you can then take your turn as usual. It does not replace a normal go.

If you ever get to a point where you need to replace a Well card and there are none left, then you can discard any remaining Well cards left face up in the play area, and replace them with the four Gauntlet cards you set aside during setup. Place these around the Master and flip over the Master card to reveal which of the three Masters you are facing this time. Read the text on all cards to see how you will defeat the Master. Each one has a different effect, strength, and weakness.

If you can defat the Master you win the game. If at any pint you run out of your health, or a Exhausted card tells you, you will lose the game.

Is It Fun? Kinfire Delve (Callous' Lab & Scorn's Stockade) Card Game Review

The cards in this game look absolutely gorgeous, showcasing a vibrant array of colours and intricate designs that immediately capture the eye. The attention to detail is evident, making each card not only functional but also a visual delight. The lovely, matt card stock used contributes to a premium feel, along with the foil effect present on the back of some cards. This shimmering detail adds a touch of elegance and sophistication, enhances the visual appeal and also creating a tactile experience that is pleasing to the touch.

The game comes packaged in a thick, sturdy box that is designed to withstand the rigors of transport and storage. Its actually a little hard to pry open due to the thickness of the stock, but feels great. The dice are nicely screen printed, which adds another layer of quality to the game components. However, it is worth noting that, while the printing is sharp and clear, players should handle the dice with care. Over time, I have found dice with screen printing can wear off if not treated cautiously.

The method of tracking health with a D10 is somewhat rudimentary. While it serves its purpose, some players may find it lacks the sophistication or ease of use that more advanced tracking systems could provide. A more innovative approach to health tracking could enhance the gameplay experience, allowing for smoother and more engaging interactions during play.

The challenge tokens, while functional, are a little basic in design. They serve their purpose but do not stand out in terms of creativity or visual appeal compared to other components of the game. I would be keen to an upgrade on the challenge tokens and dice one day!

Overall, despite some minor critiques regarding the health tracking system and the design of the challenge tokens, the production quality of this game is amazing. The combination of beautiful cards, sturdy packaging, and well-made components creates an impressive package. The attention to detail in the design and production process reflects a commitment to quality that is commendable and enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.

Game wise, this experience is nothing short of amazing. With just 18 cards at your disposal, the possibilities are extensive and varied. The depth of strategy that emerges from such a compact deck is truly impressive. Hand management becomes a crucial aspect of gameplay, as players must skilfully navigate their strengths and weaknesses of their character and current hand, while also considering those of their teammates.

Players can easily adjust the difficulty to suit their preferences or the experience level of those involved. This adaptability ensures that both newcomers and seasoned players can enjoy the game without feeling overwhelmed or underchallenged. The different sets offer different challenges too.

As you race through the well deck, it becomes evident that you will only encounter approximately 25% of the cards during any given game. Roughly speaking! This limited exposure means that each session feels unique, as you are likely to encounter cards you haven't seen in quite some time, or ever! The element of surprise is amplified by the timing and combination of cards that surface, creating an unpredictable and exciting atmosphere. This unpredictability enhances the replay value of the game, as players are encouraged to adapt their strategies on the fly. Some cards need others to come up to come into affect, either for you or against you. This unpredictability is a brilliant addition to the dynamic of the game.

The inclusion of three different master cards in each box adds another layer of complexity and excitement to the game. Each player's experience can vary significantly based not just on which master they choose to face, but also on which master card they draw, creating a delightful sense of anticipation each game. The uncertainty of which master card will appear when you reach the bottom of the well, keeps players on their toes, as they cannot fully plan their endgame strategy until they are right in the thick of it. This dynamic interplay of cards further ensures that no two games are ever the same, further enriching the overall experience.

The clever card play mechanics are truly genius. Each card is designed with intricate details that enhance gameplay, featuring unique bonus effects and smart interactions that encourage players to think creatively. The ways in which cards can be played and combined open up a myriad of tactical possibilities, rewarding players who take the time to explore the nuances of their options. This clever design makes the game stimulating, allowing players to feel a sense of accomplishment and intelligence with every successful move they make. Its truly wonderful!

This game is structured in such a way that it can be played in under an hour, (or much less if you lose fast!) making it an ideal choice for both casual gatherings and more serious game nights. The setup process is quick and straightforward, and teaching the rules to new players is a breeze. With its engaging mechanics and the continual surprise of new card interactions,

added to the combination of strategic depth, customisable gameplay, and clever design elements not only makes this game a joy to play but also ensures that it will be revisited time and time again by anyone who gets their hands on a copy. I am delighted I have two! I must seek out the third now!

The only reason I do not rank this higher, although 8.5 is pretty high, is that the games can be very tense. And that is great! But then, after an hour, if you lose on one unlucky roll, or one unlucky card draw, it can be tough to take. This doesn't happen much. Once in ten so far for us. But it was frustrating. Generally, you make your own luck in this game. And games are short, and easily played again when things like this happen. But I would like some more dice mitigation. There is some, but not much, and not for all characters. Also, the Exhausted cards in some games are a lot more interesting then others. Some just kill you if you have too many. That felt lazy to me. Others, actually have some interesting affects in you as you play.