Apparition - A Haunted House of Cards

In this game, the deck itself is the opponent.

'Apparition' is the working title for a card game concept in which you play against a haunted deck of cards. Collect pieces of a face, transparent cards called Apparitions, and assemble them into a complete image in order to win. The deck will hinder you and attempt to build a totem that allows spirits into your house. It's Ouija meets Solitaire!

The following is a prototype deck and description of the basic gameplay.

Transparent playing cards that build images when stacked comprise the core gameplay mechanic.

How to Play:

"Find my face.

Shuffle the cards. Draw one at a time.

There are 4 categories of cards:

Happenings.
Black cards, white borders. Immediately follow their instructions. Then discard.

Talismans.
White cards, black borders. These are to be kept in the hand and used when you choose. You may only keep one in your hand at a time. If you draw another, you must pick one to discard before you can use the other. Once used, they must be discarded.

Apparitions.
Transparent cards with pieces of a face and a number, 1 through 4. You may only hold one in your hand at a time. Others must be placed in a pile called 'The Likeness'. 'The Likeness' may only contain 1 of each number at a given time. If you draw an Apparition that has no room in your hand or in 'The Likeness' then it must be discarded. When all numbers 1 through 4 are present in 'The Likeness', then you will have found my face and won.

Sticks.
Transparent cards with a single stick on them. When they are drawn they must be placed immediately in a pile called 'The House'. When there are eight sticks, 'The House' will be complete and you will have lost.

If the deck runs out, shuffle the discarded cards into a new deck. Carry on until either 'The House' or 'The Likeness' is complete."

The game is played in four piles and the players hand.

A key feature of the game design is that the face being built changes with every game, adding to the feeling that the deck is alive. There are various eyes, noses, mouths and silhouettes that will stack in different combinations on different play-throughs. Each time the player must reveal the face of a different spirit.

The game is still in design and play-testing. Eventually, I'd like to have decks printed by the TheGameCrafter. If you'd like to receive updates on the design progress, signing up for the newsletter will mean those updates get delivered straight to your inbox. Thanks for reading!