Behind the Ghostly Black and White Veil of Veilwraith

Go deeper into the wilds where foes and threats of all sorts lurk near the precious keys needed to escape Veilwraith.
Onward with the campaign in Veilwraith: A Veil Odyssey Game! I was teetering close to the edge of defeat with few ribbons, yet the game doesn’t have to end in permanent death. My memory upgrades looked good at a glance, although I didn’t play ahead to learn what to expect. All part of the learning process! So into the grey I leapt… Or fell? Ha!
Game Overview
Game Name: Veilwraith: A Veil Odyssey Game
Publication Year: 2021
Designer: Tristan Hall
Artists: José Salvador del Nido, M. Greuli, and Hachimon
Publisher: Hall or Nothing Productions
Solo Mode: Designed for Solo (Included in the Base Game)
Gameplay is relatively simple with 3 main actions to work through a different assortment of threats. Spirit dwindles quickly, so it’s important to identify the best ways forward before it’s too late! All the while, keys must be collected to escape from each vignette. Mind the possible trio of foes!
First Play
June 17, 2021
Complexity
2
Latest Play
June 20, 2021
Expansions
1
Setup Time
5 Minutes
Lifetime Plays
8
Play Time
20 Minutes
High Score
N/A
Game Area
30" x 22"
Low Score
N/A
Keys to Success
Amidst all the danger, the appearance of a key every so often takes some pressure off! I’ve grown to enjoy seeing these images show up, especially early on.
The threat deck is built during setup to have these keys roughly spaced out, though, so no easy escapes early on.
Each one has a different explore value. Some are much easier to obtain than others, yet it’s wise not to let them all just sit out there unclaimed. Quick victory is the best!
However, there are instances where I probably could have dealt with more threats before claiming the keys. Hmm…
Danger in the Light
The back of each vignette includes a little bit of the story that adds to the otherwordly feel. Very accurate, too.
A pair of foes didn’t seem like a lot on the surface, but I knew vignette 4 was going to be tough. I had a single chance to get through it with my last campaign ribbon.
Is it better to play ahead and master each vignette prior to starting a campaign? Maybe. I’m the type who likes to learn from mistakes and face the surprise foes head-on!
Now, take that with a grain of salt. My winning percentage across all of my games is typically very, very low. Ha ha!
Pondering Defeat
No surprise here: Weald Heart was where my first campaign ended a little early! The base game includes 5 vignettes, so reaching the fourth one wasn’t too bad.
It was pretty agonizing because I had a good system in place. Then a mystic showed up to shuffle the threats, and I ended up with both Lantern Bearers out at once. Ouch!
Technically, I failed the campaign, yet it didn’t feel like I lost. The fun was in figuring out the combinations.
There were a few things I might have done differently, mostly in regards to the memory upgrades I chose.
An Endless Box
Perhaps a major complaint is the size of the base game box. I fit everything from the expansion… Along with the expansion box itself! Lots of empty space here.
Veilwraith: Absolution is more of a continuation of the story from the base game with more vignettes. It adds a whopping 15 new vignettes with foes and threats!
Permanent death is probably something I’ll avoid with such a long campaign… Yet you never know.
I’m running out of shelf space, which is the reason why this box size feels out of place. Lovely quality, though!
Session Overview
Play Number: 6-8
Solo Mode: Designed for Solo (Included in the Base Game)
Play Details: Vignettes 3 and 4 (Standard Difficulty Level)
Outcome: 1 Win and 2 Losses
Maybe my memory upgrades were a little too… Negative? Poison might have provided more spirit, yet I think I could have gone with something else to be more effective. The way a deck grows is entirely by choice and there are many options out there. My next campaign will just have to utilize some other tactics! Provided I return to play soon, I’m hoping to make it past the base game vignettes!
%
1 Play
Affordability
Price & Value
5
Functionality
Challenges & Mechanics
10
Originality
Design & Theme
7
Quality
Components & Rules
7
Reusability
Achievement & Enjoyment
8
Variability
Distinctness & Randomness
7
+ Pros (Positives)
- Upgrading the memory deck is entirely open-ended with many options, allowing strategies to develop.
- Many rounds feel like desperate survival, but when an exciting sequence occurs, it feels fun and satisfying.
- Straightforward actions and options make it difficult to get lost, while still making every decision important.
- Each vignette has its own challenges and set of threats that must be dealt with carefully to progress.
- A campaign is the main way to play, but vignettes can be standalone experiences to learn from for the future.
- The summary card includes everything needed to follow the sequence of play after reading the rulebook once.
– Cons (Negatives)
- There is a decent amount of content in the base game, yet the expansion seems to provide the full experience.
- Although the box looks nice, it’s much too large for the current content even if factoring in the expansion cards.
- The overall artwork is amazing and beautiful, yet there are very different artistic styles that don’t all mix well.
- Crystals for tracking progress on foes with multiple requirements can obscure some of the text, which is tiny.
Victory Conditions
Escape Through the Portal
- Overall Goal Progress 75%
Goals and Milestones
Complete vignette 1.
Complete vignette 2.
Complete vignette 3.
Complete vignette 4.
Continue the Conversation
What do you like about Veilwraith: A Veil Odyssey Game? Do the mechanics remind you of any other games? I had a great time with this campaign, although it’s time to move onto something else now. I’m sure I’ll be back to explore more and succeed at all of the vignettes… Eventually! There’s a very solid game here that plays quickly and enjoyably.
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