Dealing with the Devil: Board game with pulleys

In Deal with the Devil for exactly four people by Matus Kotry (Czech Games Edition), everyone expands their kingdom in a medieval fantasy world. The special feature is that when you trade with each other, you do not know which player you are currently trading with.

How does dealing with the devil work?

As is often the case in games, it is about winning points. Everyone will accumulate a large part by constructing buildings and will lose it due to large debts and the inability to appease the inquisitors.

At the start of each round, everyone receives different resources, money, and building cards of different weights. Then the latter is passed in draft form. Resources can be exchanged for money and vice versa with the bank and other players. In the campaign phase, with seven options, two campaigns can certainly be run, and up to two more campaigns for an additional fee.

So much for a classic mechanism

The focus is on the construction and use of buildings. Some offer one-time or multiple effects. Borrowing from the bank is also possible, but this can be expensive and cost you a few victory points. In general, this part of the game can be called classic in terms of resource optimization and a constant increase in victory points.

Special Feature: Role selection via the app

The special feature of the game lies in its different roles. At the start of the game, the additional app that needs to be loaded determines who gets the turn. No one at the table knows who belongs to the mortals, who is the sectarian and who is the devil. At the beginning of the Devil’s Fund is a mountain of money and resources. The communal also enjoys many additional wellness resources. Humans start out in bitter poverty, but each has a pure soul with three parts.

The tempting offer is in the box in Deal With The Devil

At the trading stage, everyone can make offers and put something in their chest. These boxes are then distributed among themselves via the application and these offers can be accepted or not. The demon wants to collect soul fragments, so all other players, even religious ones, have them. This creates a special attraction, is the devil’s offer appropriate, the long-awaited building can finally be built, but give up a part of your soul and never get it back…

The sect realm had a kind of dual role, it could make offerings of mortal soul fragments, but also sell soul fragments to the devil. What is soul important? Twice in the game everyone can suspect each other of making deals with evil and not being a pure soul. And if there was a majority, then whoever was suspected of it had to show three of his souls, otherwise there were penalties. They aren’t game-changers, but they are annoying.

All players also have to face the Inquisition twice. Every investigator wants to see a piece of the soul or an indulgence letter. Their punishments are much more severe and painfully cost victory points. They can be bribed in advance, but this is done secretly and it is still not clear if the other players contribute anything. At this point, too, the devil is sought. Once found, his reputation will decrease, but only for a short time. However, he is threatened by a personal home investigator.

After five rounds, points are calculated. Whatever is not used is converted.

Great article and this is a given

The game material is great! She has so much attention to detail, it’s just incredible.

I can’t remember the last time I spent half an hour looking through all the material on my own.

Each player has a well-functioning three-pane screen, which is illustrated very differently. A pleasure to watch the hustle and bustle in front of the castles. The building cards are also elaborately designed and even the back of the game board, while lacking a game purpose, is worth checking out. Players’ chests are authentic, palm-sized to open. Code language tries very hard to be attractive and manageable.

Long playing time

what is good? Dealing with the devil lasts. 40-50 minutes to explain the rules alone. Then add about three hours of playing time for the first game. This is not easy and is a huge entry hurdle for many, then the nitty gritty of the rules quickly becomes overwhelming.

Double-edged trade

Secret trade has small residual risks. If someone makes a mistake, offers souls (which can only be requested) or puts in or takes out something that wasn’t asked for or part of the deal, it can’t be undone without revealing important information. Trading can also be frustrating when no one wants what I have to offer or offers something that interests me.

Dealing with the devil suffers from overflow

The game has a lot of interesting one-on-one mechanics, debt interest, players reputation and their every turn adjustment, events, and actions. But overall, it feels overburdened, especially in the first few games. Thus, dealing with the devil is an obstacle that can only be removed by players who are very patient and have a strong interest in this board game. I’ve met many players who didn’t want to play another game after one. It’s a shame and the game is not worth it. Hidden roles, guessing, these are original and funny elements of the game, but nothing game-changing.

Synopsis: Dealing with the Devil has unique and funny selling points. Trade and hidden roles. The variety of buildings increases the appeal of the replay. I like the game, but it is not a game for everyone for the reasons mentioned. So only a limited recommendation.