'Jack': A fine looking solo filler

When it comes to print and play games with simpler the print requirements, and subsequent cutting and prep are, the better – at least for this Meeple Guilder (I don’t even like bought games with a myriad of chits and bits).

So a game such as Jack: Shadows in the Fog, from Federico Franzoni and Paper Tigers Production fits the bill rather nicely.

In Jack, you’ll explore the foggy streets of 1800s London, uncover clues, and follow a dark trail of mystery – so if you are thinking Jack the Ripper-esque by this time you have captured the atmosphere well.

“Your mission: catch Jack before he strikes again. Trace the path on the map, defeat the criminals you encounter, and find the clues that will lead you to the place where Jack will strike. Stop him before he succeeds in his evil plan,” describes the designer.

To play, print the map, the eight cards, and the eight tokens, which combine to make a rather small print footprint for this solo game.

Start from the designated starting point on the map and trace the paths you take as you explore – a pencil if you want to actually mark the map, but sleeve it and use a dry erase marker for a wiser build.

“When you reach a point of interest marked with a number, draw a card and try to capture the enemy using your skills and the dice. If you succeed, you’ll earn a clue,” again from the designer. “Once you’ve collected three different clues, compare your combination with the table in the rulebook. It will tell you where to go on the map to face the final boss, ‘Jack’. Defeat Jack to win the game.

The game is aided in terms of appeal by the great art of Marco Salogni which really is this game’s biggest selling point. It looks great so it is appealing to get to the table.

This one also plays quick. It’s suggested as 10-15 minutes, so this is a coffee break game for one.

Given it’s small deck of cards and map, and it’s quick play time, Jack is not a ‘deep thinker’, and luck holds sway here as you roll dice, but there is a Victorian-era charm of sorts, that makes this one a solid little solo time filler.