This fascinating release from Possum Creek puts players into the shoes of the residents and guests of a bed and breakfast run by a heartless witch. There’s no character creation; in each session, players take over one of the often whimsical or unusual people who pass through the house, and advance their story.
The game borrows elements from legacy board games, as there are aspects of the actual book and game that don’t open up until other things happen in the game, leading to a gradual unfolding of the story and the place. It’s also a game that is unafraid to be silly and endearing. For instance, a core mechanic is around playing out individual characters’ “Whoopsies” (a bad habit or fault) or “Bingos” (moments where they assert who they are) to move the plot and relationships forward.
Individual sessions are small slice-of-life experiences about kids having fun around the house, individuals doing laundry, or the witch losing her shadow – a mix of seemingly everyday and magical moments that always surprise and delight, often with gameplay interactions that are unique to that situation, and defined by the game book. As these episodes play out, Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast transforms into a game about finding one’s identity, being part of a community, and the small interactions that become defining memories.