Endearment
🐸 Dettagli da BoardGameGeek
Consiglio BGG sul numero di giocatori
Categorie
Meccaniche
Design & Art
Lingua
Pairs well with
FroGames — Moments You'll Remember
Amidst masked balls and elegant drawing-rooms, the true strategy is of the heart — and not all heroines win in the same way.
What it's about
Jane Austen's England as you've never experienced it — as the protagonist
In Endearment, you take on the role of one of Jane Austen's most beloved heroines as you navigate Regency England, visit drawing-rooms and gardens, improve your traits — wit, grace, honor, wealth — and seek to achieve the romance you deserve.
The game unfolds over a series of Chapters. At the beginning of each Chapter, new Scenarios and Characters are added to the map, and a Plot card is drawn. Then each player takes their actions in town — gaining Persuasion from the Tea House, buying outfits from the Modiste, inviting Characters — before visiting the Scenarios and interacting with them in a series of rounds. The Chapter ends when all Scenarios have been visited.
The game ends with a marriage — or more than one. The player who accumulates the most Endearment wins. But as in any Austen novel, the real fun isn't the destination: it's the journey.
From the game's character
A strategy game that reads like a novel: each Chapter adds tension, each Character opens new possibilities, and no two games tell the same story.
The secret of Endearment in one line
Randomized objectives, multiple victory paths, and a map that changes with each game: Regency England never truly runs out.
From the gaming experience
Endearment
The Chapter structure works great in solo: each game is a complete story, with its own objectives and Characters to discover. It only lacks direct rivalry — but not fun.
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews, and play sessionsYour social weapons
What you control in each game
Your Austen heroine
Elizabeth, Emma, Elinor, or Anne — each heroine has unique traits to develop throughout the game through the choices you make.
Scenarios and Characters
Gardens, ballrooms, libraries, country estates. Each Chapter adds new ones — and with them, new opportunities.
Plot and Trama Cards
Endearment and marriages
The game ends with a marriage. But the final score depends on what you built along the way — not just the finish line.
One drawing-room, four heroines, one story no one had ever written before. Tonight, it's yours.
📖RulebookEnglish · Dux Somnium Games
A game in five acts
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
Choosing your heroine — and everything becomes clear
She who chooses Elizabeth wants subtle debate. She who chooses Emma wants to command the scene. Heroines are dealt, and the table already knows who will face whom. The game hasn't started, and rivalries are already set.
Chapter One: Drawing Rooms and First Impressions
The first Scenarios are visited, the first Characters are met. The Tea House is crowded. Someone invests in the Modiste, someone immediately focuses on traits. The Plot card is revealed — and something unplanned already changes.
Rivalries Emerge
A Character everyone desired is invited by only one. Social rivalries become explicit. Someone blocks a strategic Scenario. The atmosphere at the table heats up — gracefully, of course. As befits a lady of good family.
Marriage approaches — and paths diverge
Someone is close to victory. The others must choose: pursue their own path or hinder those ahead? Remaining Characters are precious, Scenarios dwindle. Every action counts twice as much as before.
The wedding. And then the scores.
Someone marries. The Chapter concludes, points are tallied. Who won? Perhaps the one with the most efficient path. Perhaps the one who had the right plot twist at the right time. Discussions resume about that move in Chapter Two — the one that changed everything.
How to play
The flow of each Chapter
Four clear phases that repeat. The rules are learned in less than twenty minutes — the enjoyment deepens game after game.
New Scenarios and Characters are added to the map. A Plot card is drawn: an event that will unpredictably change the Chapter's rules.
Each player, in turn, visits the Town: gaining Persuasion from the Tea House, buying clothes from the Modiste, inviting or searching for Characters from the deck.
Players visit Scenarios — gardens, ballrooms, residences — and interact with Characters in a series of rounds, improving traits and accumulating Endearment.
When all Scenarios have been visited, the Chapter ends. If one or more players have married, bonus points are calculated, and the game concludes.
Why it's different
Six mechanics that make a difference
Asymmetrical heroines
You're not playing a generic character. Elizabeth, Emma, Elinor, Anne — each heroine has a unique trait profile that guides strategy from the initial choice.
Plot cards that rewrite plans
Each Chapter begins with an unpredictable Plot card. No two games unfold with the same script — and those who are flexible win more often than those who are rigid.
Scenarios that change every game
Gardens, libraries, ballrooms, country estates — Scenarios are randomized each Chapter. The optimal path is never the same twice.
Characters as contested resources
Characters are not mere cards — they are shared objectives everyone desires. The one who invites Mr. Darcy first blocks the others. The rivalry is subtle but constant.
Multiple victory paths
There isn't just one way to accumulate Endearment. Some focus on traits, some on Characters, some on speed: different strategies lead to the same goal with surprising outcomes.
Integrated and complete solo mode
The Chapter structure adapts perfectly to solo mode. Each solo game is a self-contained story — short enough to be enjoyable, dense enough to be satisfying.
How it ends
Two ways to conclude the story
Every Austen novel ends with a marriage. Endearment does too — but the score depends on everything that came before.
Victory
- One or more players achieve marriage before the end of the Chapters
- Final bonus points are calculated — traits, Characters, visited Scenarios
- The player with the most total Endearment wins the game
Defeat
- No marriage by the end of the last Chapter — the story remains unfinished
- In solo play, the goal is to reach the threshold score before the Chapters run out
- There is no player elimination during the game — all remain in play until the end
Endearment is one of the most successful Regency-themed games of recent years — accessible, layered, and visually impeccable. A story to be told every time the box is opened.
Frequently asked questions
Endearment FAQ
Is it really a strategy game or just a thematic experience?
Both — but strategy is truly present. The choice of heroine, the management of actions in Town, the priority between Scenarios and Characters: those who play thoughtfully achieve different results from those who improvise. The theme is strong, but it doesn't cover up a void — the game has solid mechanics underneath.
Do you need to know Jane Austen to appreciate it?
No. The game works perfectly even without knowing the novels. Those who do know them, however, find an additional layer of pleasure in recognizing characters, places, and dynamics. It's designed to work as a game first and foremost — the setting is the icing on the cake.
How difficult are the rules to learn?
The rules can be explained in about 15-20 minutes. The first game flows naturally because the Chapter structure guides the pace. There are no complex exceptions or tables to memorize. This is one of the game's strengths: strategic depth without a high barrier to entry.
Does it work well in solo mode?
Yes, the solo mode is official and well-integrated. The Chapter structure lends itself perfectly to solo play: each game is short and self-contained. Direct rivalry is absent, but the challenge against one's own goals and available time is satisfying. FrogScore rating: 4/5.
Are there any expansions available?
Yes. Dux Somnium has released two main expansions — The Season in London and A Trip to Bath — which add new Scenarios, Characters, and dynamics. There are also mini-expansions like Handsome Headdresses and A Royal Tour. The base game is already complete; expansions broaden the world for those who want more.
Is it available in Italian?
This is the English edition. The text on the cards is moderate — Character names, Scenarios, and Plot cards — and the language barrier is manageable even for those with a basic knowledge of English. There is currently no official Italian edition.
Endearment is a strategy board game for 1–4 players (ages 14+, duration 60–90 min). Published by Dux Somnium Games, inspired by Jane Austen's novels. Key mechanics: card management, map movement, social rivalry, randomized objectives. Each player controls one of Austen's heroines — Elizabeth Bennet, Emma Woodhouse, Elinor Dashwood, Anne Elliot — through Regency England, visiting Scenarios like gardens, ballrooms, and libraries, interacting with iconic Characters, and collecting Endearment in a series of narrative Chapters. The game ends with a marriage. Supports official solo mode. Expansions available: The Season in London, A Trip to Bath, Handsome Headdresses, A Royal Tour. English edition. Available on FroGames.it.
Endearment
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
📸Do the images match the actual product?
The photos on the website often come from BoardGameGeek and are intended to give you an idea of the game. They may vary slightly from the version you receive. The content declared by the publisher is always binding.
📦Does the content of the box match what is indicated?
We always strive to provide the correct content, but minor variations are possible due to reprints or updates. The information comes directly from the publishers. If you have any questions, please contact us!
⏳How do pre-orders work?
Pre-order the game before release, payment is immediate, and the game is reserved for you. As soon as it arrives, we'll ship it right away! If there are any delays, we'll update you promptly.
🔒Can I trust buying here?
Absolutely! Secure payments, tracked shipments, and a team that loves board games as much as you do. If something goes wrong, we'll do our best to fix it.
🛠There's a problem with my order, what should I do?
Write to us now! Whether it's a missing part, damage, or an error, we'll help you resolve it as soon as possible. Your experience truly matters to us.