Etherfields
- Players
- 1-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 2 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 180 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.6 / 5
- Year
- 2020
About the game
Etherfields is a narrative, cooperative game for 1-4 players who explore a series of surreal, ever-shifting dreamscapes to uncover their characters' forgotten pasts. Players solve escape-room-style riddles woven into gorgeous illustrated scenes, using instinct as much as logic to spot clues and hidden connections. Deck-building applies to nearly every deck in the game, not just the players', and rules deepen and shift as the campaign progresses, sometimes upending everything you thought you knew. It's a heavily story-driven, atmospheric adventure best experienced across a long campaign.
Hobbli's Notes
Etherfields is a striking achievement in narrative game design: the dreamlike art direction and escape-room puzzle integration create a genuinely immersive campaign experience unlike most cooperative games. The evolving rules and decks keep the campaign feeling alive from start to finish. Its heavy narrative and puzzle focus demand real time investment and a group willing to engage deeply rather than just optimize mechanics. Best suited to story-hungry groups ready to commit to a long, atmospheric journey.
What we like
- Gorgeous, dreamlike art direction creates deep immersion.
- Escape-room style puzzles woven directly into the narrative exploration.
- Rules and decks evolve throughout the campaign, keeping things fresh.
- Strong cooperative and solo support.
Keep in mind
- Long campaign length demands significant time commitment.
- Heavy narrative focus may not suit players who prefer pure strategy.
- Complex evolving rules can be disorienting for casual players.
Who it's for
Narrative-driven cooperative gamers 12+ who enjoy escape-room puzzles and long campaigns, playable solo or with up to 4 players.
