Tabletop Game Review: Fluttering Souls

Fluttering Souls

Good Games Publishing

2 Players

Playtime: 10-20 Minutes

Fluttering Souls is a set collecting game based on The Legend of the White Butterfly. The legend tells the story of a man who lost the love of his life before marrying her. He visited her grave every day for the next 50 years until he was in his death bed. A white butterfly visited him, and when the man breathed his last breath, the butterfly flew to the late wife’s grave.

In Fluttering Souls, two players will collect butterflies in an effort to be visited by a white butterfly.

How To Play

Set-up in Fluttering Souls is simple. All of the butterfly cards except for the Great Eggfly are shuffled together. A layout card is drawn and indicates how the cards should be placed on the table. The butterfly cards are laid out in a specific pattern, with some being face up and some face down. The cards will overlap the corners of those beneath them, cascading down.

One player will take a card that isn’t being overlapped by any other butterflies. Then the next player will grab an available card. As play continues, cards will become available to the players. If a card is available but is face down, it is immediately flipped for players to have access to. Play will continue until all cards have been selected, then scoring begins.

Each butterfly is a part of a set, so players will be hunting for a specific amount of butterflies to complete their sets. One butterfly even acts as a wild card for other sets if the player can get two copies of it. Whoever has the most point wins the round (And a white butterfly token). The first player to win three rounds wins the game.

Pacing And Interactivity

The game would be a bit too simple if it weren’t for the Great Eggfly card. Whoever goes second in a round gets this card. Throughout each round, the player with the Purple Eggly may pick up a card as usual, then put the Great Eggfly card down to replace the card they just took. This will block the cards that it overlaps. Of course, the next player can pick up the Great Eggfly and use it to block their opponent later on in a round. With good tinking, a player can force their opponent to grab the Great Eggfly in a clutch situation, possibly winning them a round as they take the essential card under it.

The Great Eggfly adds just enough interaction, allowing for players to frustrate their opponent. It makes Fluttering Souls surprisingly cutthroat at times, making Fluttering Souls an excellent game for two players who constantly want to outsmart each other. While the game can be brutal, the game isn’t heavy at all. Gamers of all experience levels, including children, can play and enjoy Fluttering Souls. It doesn’t have a lot of rules, and might even be too light for some gamers.

The rounds are short, which keeps the game engaging. Turns are quick as long as the player doesn’t get too bogged down on what butterfly to grab next. There are enough layout cards to keep the game fresh and unpredictable. In addition to the many layouts, two butterflies are always set aside before a round begins. With some cards being facedown, knowing if the set you are shooting for is even available adds a nice bit of tension to the game. Players will take risks, hoping that luck goes their way. Some won’t like the unknown cards and the luck that they bring into the game, but it makes for an excellent equalizer for casual players and those who like to plan every turn.

Theme And Components

Fluttering Souls comes in a small but gorgeous package. The butterfly cards have beautiful art with elegant colors. The theme that focuses on a Japanese myth adds just enough flavor to make the game more than a simple set collection game.

The game’s small package includes the rules, a deck of cards, and a few butterfly tokens. At a low price point of less than $15, fluttering souls is an excellent value for a nice evening. The game’s layout has players sitting next to each other, making it feel a bit more intimate. None of the components are of astounding quality, but they don’t feel cheap either.

Fluttering Souls Is Great For Fans Of…

Fluttering Souls’ light strategic elements mixed with Japanese lore makes it great for fans of Hanamikoji.