One Last Challenge to Defeat Every Solo Family in Obsession
Travel to the intriguing world of Derbyshire society, impeccable reputations, and grand country estates with Obsession.
Although not entirely surprising, Obsession continues to be my absolute favorite solo board game. And that’s even before digging into the additional expansion content that’s supposed to improve it! Managing a family’s manor and social circle offers the perfect blend of intrigue and difficulty. This time, I had my sights on the final solo family…
Game Overview
Game Name: Obsession
Publication Year: 2018
Designer: Dan Hallagan
Artist: Dan Hallagan
Publisher: Kayenta Games
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game
Such a lovely view of Alderley Hall! The stories that arise are simply lovely as memorable guests attend events, staff keep watch over the estate, and a family battles to be at the very top of society. It sounds exhausting, and it can be! Yet it’s a wonderful challenge that works so very well!
First Play
January 25, 2019
Complexity
3
Latest Play
December 21, 2024
Expansions
4
Setup Time
10 Minutes
Lifetime Plays
96
Play Time
50 Minutes
High Score
219
Game Area
24" x 28"
Low Score
82
Across Derbyshire
Visually, there is a lot more text and iconography than carefully illustrated tiles. However, this has always worked for me because I like to picture the scenes!
Alderley Hall also remains a focal point, while Derbyshire itself sets the stage with a sweeping countryside view.
I do find myself drawn to the aesthetics of many games, but the real staying power comes from the mechanics. Beauty garners attention, but functionality sticks around.
The joy of seeing this starting setup never fades! All the possibilities and the chance to be the greatest family.
The Last of Them
This entire time, I’ve ignored almost all of the expansion content and stuck with the base game. The goal? Defeat every solo opponent family without the new content.
Only the Plantagenets were left! They were all about appearances with their estate and prestige. Go figure.
It’s almost comical how I struggled so much against some of the earlier solo opponents. Although luck plays a part, it really comes down to finding ways to get ahead.
With these values on the table and the Plantagenet clan already looking down on me smugly, I set to work.
The Best Kind of Help
The Asquith family might have been ready with plenty of staff, but I myself needed some assistance. Enter this absolutely adorable Calico Critter in a random costume!
This was labeled as a bat, which I think might be pushing things a bit. Imagination? Sure. I had another idea!
But this made me pause to take a look at the empty stack of remaining solo opponents. I was nearly there, and it was a rather bittersweet moment. Well, provided I won.
It’s not always the major gaming moments that stick with us. This would be the culmination of over 50 solo plays!
Suite, Suite Defeat
Oh, how the Plantagenets battled. This might be a game devoid of violence, yet conflict is everywhere! Managing a rise in society is filled with all sorts of people and risks.
The Asquith family fared quite well as I steered their estate towards excellence. A couple of suites even rounded out the picture as the children grew more renowned.
Alas, enter the Plantagenets. They clawed their way ahead during the courtship rounds, always so prim and proper.
It wasn’t a terrible defeat, yet I needed to rework my strategy if I was going to take on Derbyshire’s worst.
Albert, the Traitor
As it so happened, one of the very first guests to appear in the Asquith social circle was none other than this clown.
That’s right: It’s Albert Plantagenet! Distant relation and all, but utterly suspicious. Just look at those eyes…
So I carefully invited him to some of the less-interesting events as the family poached reputation from the actual Plantagenets. It was a glorious reversal of fortunes!
The only trouble was how to read Albert… Was he still loyal to his distant relations, or did he just use them to boast? Worse yet, he wasn’t leaving the social circle.
My Own Gargoyle
“Rawrr!” My adorable costumed helper came to the rescue one day while Albert was out admiring the gargoyles. One of them appeared to come to life and pounced!
Also, just a fun note that without trying, the shadow of these wings created a bird-like monster shadow. Neat!
It worked! Albert disappeared from society after being so frightened, which reflected poorly on the Plantagenets. All according to plan, thank you very much!
As the final season wound down, it looked very promising. But nothing was ever guaranteed in Derbyshire.
Session Overview
Play Number: 68-69
Expansion: Obsession: Wessex Expansion
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game
Play Details: Extended Play with Closed Courtship
Outcome: 176-206 and 219-195 (1 Win and 1 Loss)
The Dowager Countess was most impressed with this final result! Monuments adorned every area of the estate and the Plantagenets were summarily defeated. I did it! I beat all of the solo opponents without digging into most of the expansion material. There’s still so much more to explore in my favorite game! I’m so excited to see what’s next!
%
90 Plays
Affordability
Price & Value
10
Functionality
Challenges & Mechanics
10
Originality
Design & Theme
10
Quality
Components & Rules
10
Reusability
Achievement & Enjoyment
10
Variability
Distinctness & Randomness
10
+ Pros (Positives)
- The tiles that show up during each play can vary a lot, leading to interesting decisions and final layouts.
- Most of the rules are easy to learn and intuitive, leading to few instances when the rulebook must be referenced.
- All of the mechanics tie into the theme so gameplay flows smoothly and the focus is on strategy and fun.
- Custom meeples add a lot to the staff and make them easily recognizable with different colors and shapes.
- Although not overt, there are tidbits of humor in the guest cards and plenty of organic stories that develop.
- With many different activities and tiles, there are often many paths to explore in order to win courtship rounds.
– Cons (Negatives)
- Some of the initial decisions can feel a little stale or on-the-rails over the course of many plays.
- A bit of luck is sometimes needed to defeat some of the more difficult solo opponents, though this is minor.
- The new rulebook has the scoring reminders on the inside, so the whole thing needs to be opened at game end.
- Almost all of the family members have ability reminders, rather than the charming flavor text on the guest cards.
Victory Conditions
Score the Most Points
- Overall Goal Progress 60%
Goals and Milestones
Score at least 200 points.
Win at least 1 game against each base game family.
Win at least 1 game against each Wessex family.
Score at least 220 points.
Win at least 1 game against each Up, Downstairs family.
Continue the Conversation
What do you enjoy the most about Obsession? I’ve long enjoyed it and everything it has to offer, and that’s basically just looking at the base game. So much more to discover! Are there other games you enjoy where the base game offers a full experience? It looks like I need to prepare to add a lot more to the game, and I’m so excited to see everything!
“As it so happened, one of the very first guests to appear in the Asquith social circle was none other than this clown.” LOL!
Congrats on winning against them all. 🙂
Thanks so much, Dan! This has been so much fun and I’m excited to explore the rest of the expansion content!
“Why, Miss Asquith, whatever are you doing with that tin of ant-killer?” “There’s more than social climbing goes on at country house parties in the 1920s, Miss Plantagenet.”
Congratulations on beating the set of solitaire opponents!
Ha ha ha! So very true about the potentially questionable motives at these house parties. Thank you very much!
Hi Jessica,
I have been following your blog for quite some time now and have added many solo games to my collection/wish list thanks to your recommendations (Obsession, Northwest Passage, Neom, Fields of Green- to name a few). I just wanted to say that I appreciate all the time, effort and creativity that you put into your posts. You are one of the few board game content creators that I follow, and I’m always excited when I see a new entry from you here at Gameward Bound or over at the 1 Player Guild. You seem like a very joyful person, and your passion for life/board games shines through in your writing. Thanks for keeping me entertained and for providing detailed, trustworthy reviews. I can’t wait for more posts about some of your/our favorite games! 🙂
Thank you so much for the kind words! This means so much to me, and I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that you enjoy following along! I truly love board games and sharing that joy is my way of (hopefully) making the world just a little bit brighter. Thank you again for taking the time to post this comment! I appreciate it, and wish you all the best as you continue to discover more excellent solo games! Early apologies to your wallet as I continue on my rampage as the Breaker of Wallets. Ha!