Stats:
No. of players: 2-4
Amount of time to play: 20-30 min
Age requirements: 10+
Set-up time: minimal

The princess has locked herself in the palace to win her hand you must get your letter to her first. You must get your letter delivered while being sure the other players do not.

Love Letter Card Game Rules Description:

To win Love Letter you must win a certain number of rounds of the game. To win a round you must have the highest valued card in your hand at the end of the round.

This card game consists of sixteen cards valued one to eight. To set up the round you discard a card and deal each player one card.

On your turn you draw a card and discard a card. You must apply the effects of the card you discard. Some cards allow you to eliminate other players for the round, by guessing another player’s card or having one valued higher than theirs. Some allow you to look at your opponent’s card, others make them discard their card or swap yours for theirs.

If you are the last player in the round you win it. If the deck is depleted all remaining players reveal their cards. The player with the highest valued card wins the round. Once you have won seven, five or four rounds (depending on the number of players) you win the game.

Quick Review of Love Letter:

Love Letter is a fun, light game that makes a great start or finish to your game night. The rounds go quick so even though there is player elimination no one will experience too much down time.

The components for the game are good. The art is similar to the other games in the Tempest series and looks really nice. The rules are well-written and easy to follow. I do wish the cards were a bit thicker but with the amount they’ll be shuffled you might as well just sleeve them.

I like the simplicity of this game. The design is minimalist, smart and tight. You need some luck to win but played with the right players this game can be great. It is very engaging and though the theme is not super strong it is fun to talk about courting the princess.

For a game with just sixteen cards there is a good bit to consider. Since players’ discarded cards stay face-up you can deduct what players have in their hands. But having one card not in play leaves this in question.

The outcome of some rounds depends on luck and sometimes your moves are plotted for you based on what two cards you have. But this should even out over the course of a game. The game is also much better with three or four players.

This game is super portable and inexpensive. It is a testament to good things coming in small packages. Love Letter is a filler that should fit in most anyone’s collection. You can explain and play this game with most anyone and enjoy it.

Score and synopsis: (Click here for an explanation of these review categories.)
Strategy 4 out of 6
Luck 5 out of 6
Player Interaction 6 out of 6
Replay Value 5 out of 6
Complexity 3 out of 6
Fun 5 out of 6
Overall 5 out of 6