Shadis #27: The Edge: Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time

A story-telling card game
Published by atlas games
Created by Richard Lambert, Andrew Rilstone and James Wallis
2nd edition art by Florence Magnin and Sophie Mounier
$15.95
Reviewed by Jim Pinto

"Once upon a time, there was a game…"

No that won't do.

"Long ago, in a distant land, there was a king that loved to play – "

Argh! Too corny.

Okay here we go. "A long time ago, in a galaxy - "

No, no, no! That's been done. Besides, we don't want a lawsuit.

Okay, last try.

"Once upon a time there was a really great game that these guys made because they thought the game was fun to play and they didn't expect to make a million dollars selling it and I think you should play it because it is fun and you will never tire of all of the variations that the game has to offer and with new art and some new clear rules the second edition is even better and everyone knows that I would never lie to you about a game because I like to play good games too and I wouldn't want to steer you in the wrong direction and besides it's a card game and it can't be all that bad. Right?"

Whew....

Once Upon a Time is a card game. Actually, if you love any kind of storytelling, either role-playing or otherwise, there is no other card game to play. Both the first and second editions of this game are superb. Atlas Games devised one of the greatest card game ideas ever. Once Upon a Time is designed to allow players to create a coherent (eh?) and fun fairy tale.

Each player takes on the role of a narrator or story-teller and you each have your own objective. The deck of cards comes with characters, items, events, places, and aspects, each attributing something to the story. A character card, for instance, may say 'mother' or 'father' or 'king', but that is merely a guideline; a King can be a father and a leader of mushrooms may be defined as a King, if his followers deem it so. Just because the card says Axe, doesn't mean he has to kill someone or cut down a tree with it. And the Prison card doesn't have to be a dank, dirty dungeon beneath the bowels of the castle. The game provides a myriad of options.

The rules (in the second edition) are straightforward and liberal. Something like, "If the players determine that a card play is silly, than the player must draw two cards and pass to the left." This sort of rule rarely shows up in any kind of game, let alone a card game, but in Once Upon a Time the players are the final arbitrators of what is "okay." And what evening with your friends would be complete if you weren't able to interrupt one another? Well, in Once Upon a Time, not only do the rules tell you how to do it, but they recommend strategies for when and how you should do it. And if someone is taking too long telling their story, you can call 'em on it. Nothing bonds us together better than that.

In Once Upon a Time, the rulebook walks you through the different aspects of play, and shows you how cards can be used. Just a few simple guidelines to remember. Only one card per sentence. Only if the item or character is serving a purpose in the story may the card be played. Keep it fun… and interesting.

How do you win you ask? Well, I'll tell you. In Once Upon a Time, each player has a "Happily Ever After" card that they must play in order to finish their story. In order to play your "Happily Ever After" card, it must be the last card in your hand. However, between playing your last card and playing your "Happily Ever After" card, there can be no sentences, story, additions, pauses or anything else. A word or two may be interjected in order to complete the thought, but that is it. If you can do that, you win the game.

By the way, as soon as the other players find out what kind of story you are trying to finish, I guarantee they will screw it up for you. So try to be a little stealthy about your choices.

I can't recommend this game any higher. It's definitely a keeper. On my top ten list for sure. This is what card games were made in the first place. Makes Speed look like a slow ride to grandma's house. A roller coaster ride of a game. Riveting. Shocking. And you won't believe the ending.