Miskatonic University: The Restricted Collection Card Game
Miskatonic University The Restricted Collection is a push-your-luck, set collection card game set in the world of Call of Cthulhu by world-renowned game designer Reiner Knizia.
- 2-5 Players
- 30-45 minutes
- Ages 13 and up.
Set in the treacherous and terrifying Restricted Collection of Miskatonic University's Orne Library, the game features grimoires, elder signs, academic politics and madness — and that endlessly renewable resource, graduate students!
It’s an old adage that academic politics are so vicious because the stake are so low. But as leading scholars at Miskatonic University, the fabled seat of learning, nestled in witch-haunted Arkham, you know the stakes couldn’t be higher.
In Miskatonic University: The Restricted Collection, you are all vying with each other for the prestigious position of Head of the Library Committee. This evening, you are gathering in Dr. Armitage’s office, where he will decide who is to receive the coveted position. But just as the meeting is about to get underway, you hear blood-curdling screams...
The game is a quest. An extremely dangerous quest. Dr Henry Armitage, Chief Librarian, needs you to search the perilous Restricted Collection for fragments of lore from among the grimoires, and recover pieces of a particular sigil to help him defeat the foul abomination that has invaded the university.
You explore the Restricted Collection for the things he needs. However it is a perilous journey and you must be prepared to flee before you are driven mad! The victor is the professor who finds the most sets, while retaining a semblance of sanity. Also, look out for hapless wandering graduate students as they can aid in your defenses!
What's in the box?
- 5 Player Desk Boards
- 84 Library Cards
- 5 sets of Defense Cards
- Scoring Cards
- Rule Book (features English, German, French, Spanish and Italian rules)
There are five rounds in the game. Each round continues until no-one is left in the library, having left voluntarily or having been expelled.
Basic play consists of taking turns to select a Library Card and placing these cards face up on your player mats. There are three types of Library Cards. Sigil Pieces, Grimoire Fragments and Graduate Students, that fit neatly into the player mat.
Defense cards are a key part of the game: you can use them to drop the card you just picked up, steal from other players, give them gifts and other useful actions.
Miskatonic University: The Restricted Collection’s distinctive design is by the award-winning graphic artist Ian O'Toole, whose work includes such games as 'The Gallerist', 'Vinhos Deluxe' and 'A Study in Emerald' 2nd edition and Chaosium’s double Gold ENnie award-winning Khan of Khans.
What the Critics Say
"A very pleasant surprise in a package that befits much more complex products. To say that it punches way above its weight is a major understatement. A cool, simple yet demanding filler, it will appeal to both Call of Cthulhu players as well as casual gamers… The game has a very high replayability…. Just like Khan of Khans, younger audiences can end up playing this non-stop all day long. It's a great game for outings, for non-gamers, for train trips and what have you."—Antonios S., RPGNet review.
"There’s even wandering graduate students you can sacrifice, just like in real academia!"--Fandomentals '13 Spookiest Games of 2019'.
"…fast-playing, easy to learn, and compact… Maybe the forbidden knowledge of the Restricted Collection is right up your alley if you’re willing to wager your sanity."—Pop Culture Uncovered’s Tabletop Tuesday.
Chaosium