BLACK ORCHESTRA (2016)

PLAYERS	TIME	DESIGNER	PUBLISHER
1-5	90 mins	Philip duBarry	Game Salute

For many gamers, PANDEMIC was a gateway game that we may have found early on. It taught us what co-op games were and it taught us that some co-op games can be mean.

But the many reskins and variants of PANDEMIC have become a little tiresome for me.

And that’s where BLACK ORCHESTRA comes in. Instead of working together to cure a virus, here you’re all plotting to kill Hitler.

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When I finished my first play back at UKGE 2021 I described it as PANDEMIC on steroids.

The game runs on the same concept of limited actions and collecting cards. But it adds some nice layers to the concept as players work together to succeed with the best plot from among them.

Player A’s plan might sound like the best one for now, but it could go horribly wrong So you’ll want to focus on your own plot a little just in case it’s needed in a pinch.

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Other factors come in like the disadvantage of being in the same spot as Hitler or one of his deputies. Suspicion is a big deal in this game and you’ll want to keep it as low as possible.

Each round involves players carefully discussing turns, moving around the board, and all playing their part in the plot.

Then comes that pivotal moment. You prepare your dice pool. Did you do enough to give yourself the best chance? Or did you rush because time is running out.

You can tick every box, but like any good assassination attempt of a murderous dictator, it comes down to luck.

This might put some players off, but for me it’s the biggest strength. The table goes silent. Everyone focuses on those dice. Will you all succeed? Or are some of you off to prison?

Best pray the next Event card isn’t a Gestapo Raid!

Sure, the theme might put some people off. Killing Hitler isn’t as ‘fun’ as saving the world from colourful little viruses. But BLACK ORCHESTRA is a much more involved and smarter game and one of the best co-op’s available.