Tis’ the spooky season, so let’s go wandering through an old graveyard, shall we? The moon is full, the spirits are restless, and it’s about time to head home to a warm bed. But first—a dare. You and your friends make a bet: who will be the first to cross the graveyard and escape? You’re confident you can win… all you have to do is avoid the ever-growing horde of spirits.
Welcome to The Lychgates, a perfect game for the Halloween season.
This latest creation from prolific game designer David McCord might sound like a frantic dash to dodge lurching zombies, but it’s actually a bit more refined—and a lot more strategic. The spirits here don’t attack; instead, they hinder your progress, forcing you to take extra moves and rethink your path.
As with all of McCord’s games through NewVentureGames.com, The Lychgates features a beautifully crafted wooden board—this one boasting 121 spaces—and handsome wooden peg pieces. There are four starting points and four goals (the titular Lychgates). Meanwhile, five special spaces on the board serve as Spirit spawn points, eventually bringing up to 25 Spirits into play.
Movement is handled through cards: each turn, players draw three and can use them to move either their own piece or a Spirit. Every player also has six special ability cards that enhance movement; these can be played whenever you choose and refresh once all six have been used. Knowing when to deploy these powers is a critical strategic decision.
The Lychgates plays with two to four players, though it truly shines with more. It’s not a game where teaming up against a weaker player gives a long-term edge—any advantage is fleeting, since everyone must still make it safely across the board. Impeding others often feels necessary, especially in late-game moments when you’re hoping for better cards next turn.
The game is quick to learn, fast to play, and highly portable—all big pluses.
David McCord has designed many clever, well-crafted games, but none better than The Lychgates.
About Author
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
Can you avoid the spirits and escape the cemetery?
Welcome to The Lychgates, a perfect game for the Halloween season.
This latest creation from prolific game designer David McCord might sound like a frantic dash to dodge lurching zombies, but it’s actually a bit more refined—and a lot more strategic. The spirits here don’t attack; instead, they hinder your progress, forcing you to take extra moves and rethink your path.
As with all of McCord’s games through NewVentureGames.com, The Lychgates features a beautifully crafted wooden board—this one boasting 121 spaces—and handsome wooden peg pieces. There are four starting points and four goals (the titular Lychgates). Meanwhile, five special spaces on the board serve as Spirit spawn points, eventually bringing up to 25 Spirits into play.
Movement is handled through cards: each turn, players draw three and can use them to move either their own piece or a Spirit. Every player also has six special ability cards that enhance movement; these can be played whenever you choose and refresh once all six have been used. Knowing when to deploy these powers is a critical strategic decision.
The Lychgates plays with two to four players, though it truly shines with more. It’s not a game where teaming up against a weaker player gives a long-term edge—any advantage is fleeting, since everyone must still make it safely across the board. Impeding others often feels necessary, especially in late-game moments when you’re hoping for better cards next turn.
The game is quick to learn, fast to play, and highly portable—all big pluses.
David McCord has designed many clever, well-crafted games, but none better than The Lychgates.
About Author
Calvin Daniels
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
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