500 Games - 1 Year - Cut Throats Tavern

 

‘Cut Throats Tavern’ is the second game I have played lately from Zadorf Games who produce a range of excellent small boxed (very small!) solo games. I posted a review of the superb ‘The Rats Lair’ earlier in the month, and after enjoying that so much I was very excited to play ‘Cut Throats Tavern’.

 

The premise of ‘Cut Throats Tavern’ is very simple, you are in a tavern attempting to win Zeds (coins) to take on the big boss in an end of game duel. At its core, this a gambling/push your luck style game. You travel around the tavern and play one of 4 mini games which include standard mechanics such as games that represent 21, Russian Roulette, Rock Paper Scissors etc. The games are well made and thought out, with no cheap wins and that sense of gambling remaining strong throughout. My favourite of the games is the boxing but all of them are fun and you are limited to how many times you play each, meaning you have to plan your gambling and playing route in advance.

 

There are cheat cards that can help you (or if you are caught majorly hinder you) and a fortune teller can aid you on the way with power ups and game saving bonuses. The bonuses and deciding when to spend Zeds on acquiring them give the game that tiny bit of strategy that will keep you coming back for more.

 

If you hit the objective and secure the 10 Zeds required then you enter the end game which is a fun Duel game in which you play cards to try and take the points win. The end game is very well thought out and includes some strategy and thought…the hardest part is surviving long enough in the Tavern to get there!

 

‘Cut Throats Tavern’ is a fun solo experience that will keep you coming back for more. It requires very little table space (ideal for travel) and very little planning. Indeed, I think this game would work very well as an introduction to solo games for those who have never tried them before and provides just about enough depth for experienced gamers to get some fun out it!

 

I believe the games are only available via the Zadorf website and you can see me Tiktok as part of the ‘500 Games…’ series here –https://www.tiktok.com/@boardgameaddictuk/video/7332449706087353632