Identification of Mechanics
Hidden Victory Points are a game mechanic present in some board games where players earn points in a concealed manner. These points are typically tabulated and become known only at the end of the game, adding a level of mystery and strategic depth. Games utilizing this mechanic often involve components such as blind bidding, secret objectives, or endgame bonuses that are not immediately scored.
Psychological and Strategic Impact
This mechanic's psychological impact on players is pertinent; it alters the decision-making process and can create tension and competition. Players must surmise not only their own potential points but also estimate how well opponents are doing, leading to more thoughtful and, potentially, deceptive plays.
Game Balance
Incorporating Hidden Victory Points into a game design serves as a balancing tool. It can prevent early discouragement for players falling behind and keeps everyone's chances of winning ambiguous. By hiding the scoring, it prevents leading players from becoming runaway leaders, maintaining game balance and engagement.
Gameplay Experience
In a game using Hidden Victory Points, players can expect an intense and dynamic play experience. Each action may contribute to a victory that only materializes at the game's conclusion, keeping every player attuned and involved. As players work towards their hidden goals, they must juggle advancing their own scores while anticipating and potentially thwarting others' plans without definite knowledge of the score.
Tactical Play and Deduction
Strategic maneuvers are core to gameplay involving Hidden Victory Points. Players often engage in tactical plays to maximize their points while maintaining secrecy about their progress. The mechanic encourages a careful balance of overt action and subtle positioning, requiring players to constantly assess and readjust their approach in response to the unfolding game state.
Conclusion of Gameplay
At the game's finale, the reveal of Hidden Victory Points is pivotal. Players will unveil their secret achievements and tally final scores, often leading to dramatic shifts in the leaderboard. This moment is the crescendo of the game, where strategies are laid bare and the victor emerges, validating the secretive endeavors undertaken throughout the play session.
Hidden Victory Points and Action / Event games
Welcome to Bedeville Carnival, a place where death is not the end, but the beginning of endless nighttime amusement.When the sun goes down, the lights go on and the dead rise up! But they don’t crave brains. Only fun!They awaken from their graves for...
Bedeville Carnival (Collector's Box)
$78.95
$65.00
Silverwood Grove is a wonderfully illustrated card game set in a mythical Australian realm. Players must create their own woodland village by collecting resources, hiring and promoting employees, building and upgrading locations, and researching and...
Silverwood Grove (Collector's Edition)
$25.00
$18.00
Hidden Victory Points and Chaining games
Hidden Victory Points games published by Skellig Games
Hidden Victory Points and Hand Management games
Family Game with Hidden Victory Points
Hidden Victory Points and I Cut, You Choose games
Fantasy themed games with Hidden Victory Points
Hidden Victory Points games published by YOKA Games
Animals themed games with Hidden Victory Points
Renaissance themed games with Hidden Victory Points
Florenza (X Anniversary)
$60.00
In Florenza, the players are the heads of the most powerful families in Florenza during the Renaissance period. The goal of the game is to become the most famous patron of the arts by hiring the most famous artists of the period and financing their ...
mostly positive, 77%
14 y/o +
1 to 5 players
60 minutes
Involved
Solo / Solitaire Game
Art
City Building
Delayed Purchase
Hidden Victory Points
Income
Ownership
Hidden Victory Points and Bluffing games
Hidden Victory Points games published by Ravensburger
Puerto Rico 1897
$44.95
The year is 1897 AD. The island of Puerto Rico looks to move beyond the era of traditional colonialism and reshape itself for the modern world. As an independent Puerto Rican farmer in this new era, you will compete to hire workers, grow, sell, and trade...
mostly positive, 72%
12 y/o +
2 to 5 players
90 minutes
Involved
Strategy Game
Economic
Farming
Action Drafting
End Game Bonuses
Follow
Hidden Victory Points
Hidden Victory Points games published by Hobby World
Hidden Victory Points and Auction/Bidding games
Hidden Victory Points and Worker Placement games
Hidden Victory Points and Open Drafting games
Enter a Growing Market!Welcome to the Community Hedge Fund where players take on the roles of gardeners dedicated to growing flowers and profits. When the market crashes, the Gardener with the most valuable Stalk portfolio wins.Garden shrewdly to grow...
Stalk Exchange
$44.95
As captain of a flying pirate ship, recruit a cutthroat crew, collect relics, and unearth the best rum by gathering shares of Loot. Then send your pirates aboard enemy ships to plunder their treasure!In each round of the game, players take turns divvying...
Sea of Clouds
$28.95
$9.50
Roman Empire themed games with Hidden Victory Points
Hidden Victory Points games published by Ion Game Design
Stationfall
-40%
$125.00
$74.99
What is Stationfall? Well, imagine a dozen or so random humans, robots, and none-of-the-aboves, each with their own abilities, goals, and secret relationships, have been turned loose on a space station that is going to be incinerated upon its inevitable...
mostly positive, 72%
12 y/o +
1 to 9 players
90 minutes
Involved
Science Fiction
Deduction
Action Points
Hidden Roles
Hidden Victory Points
Industry / Manufacturing themed games with Hidden Victory Points
Planet Unknown
-28%
$79.00
$56.99
As you know, Earth has exhausted its resources and we need to act now to preserve the future of humanity. Compete with 1-6 planeteers to build the best planet in 70 minutes.The revolving space station (S.U.S.A.N.) is capable of same-day delivering polyomino...
positive, 82%
10 y/o +
1 to 6 players
60 to 80 minutes
Relaxed
City Building
Industry / Manufacturing
Events
Grid Coverage
Hidden Victory Points
Map Addition