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Description
For more than four centuries scholars have argued over the identity of the mysterious Dark Lady of William Shakespeare's sonnets. According to the sonnets, the Dark Lady seduced the poet and held him in an agonised thrall while also conducting an affair with the Fair Youth whom Shakespeare also loved.
In Black Sonata you will find yourself in Shakespeare's London, circa 1600, in pursuit of the shadowy Lady. A specially ordered deck of cards determines her hidden movements from place to place. You must deduce her location and then intercept her to catch a glimpse and gain a clue to her identity. You will need several clues to deduce her identity, but with each clue gained the Lady becomes harder to track. Black Sonata combines hidden movement and logical deduction into a unique solitaire steeped in literary history.
Can you finally solve English literature's greatest mystery? Or will the Dark Lady elude you, melting from your grasp like a curl of smoke and promises?
Year Published
2017
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 11
This page: 11
Sentiment:
pos 10 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 1 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–11 of 11
Video B2M7OzH7I3I
Beyond Solitaire with Liz Davidson general_discussion at 0:11 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9613 · mention_pk 28408
Click to watch at 0:11
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- New Dark Lady cards provide added variety and challenge
- Dark Lady and Fair Youth mechanics extend the core deduction puzzle
- Mix-and-match expansions allow tailoring difficulty
- Rendezvous, waypoints, and rival poet modules add strategic depth
- Expansions address memorization concerns by introducing fresh puzzles
Cons
- Base game memorization risk discussed; expansions can increase complexity
- Mixing all expansions may be overwhelming; starting small recommended
- Balance and design details of expansions are not fully disclosed
Thematic elements
- Deduction and hidden-identity mystery using symbolic clues across suits and locations
- A historical, mystery setting inspired by Shakespeare's Dark Lady; a compact solo deduction game with a detective vibe
- Puzzle-driven, atmospheric with a focus on solo puzzle solving
Comparison games
- Black Sonata (base game)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Confrontation scoring and bonus points — Confronting the Dark Lady or the Fair Youth yields points, with possible bonuses for meeting both in the same locale.
- Deduction and symbol matching (keyhole mechanic) — Players deduce the Dark Lady's identity by comparing symbols across clue cards and using a keyhole reveal to connect cards from different suits.
- Memory management and puzzle variation — Expansions replace or supplement base clue cards to refresh puzzles and raise challenge levels.
- Modular, mix-and-match expansions — Multiple mini-expansions can be added or omitted to tailor difficulty and puzzle variety.
- Progress tracking with tokens and maps — Tokens indicate potential locations; expansions introduce new tracking concepts like waypoints and traces.
- Spatial search and movement on a map — Players navigate a map with location, search, and fog decks to locate the Dark Lady and track her movements.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I am very excited by the fact that there are some new dark ladies to play with
- I personally am very excited
- I still like it just vanilla style
- it's mix-and-match so you could just throw them all in together or just play with whichever one or two you want
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 9dB_ZCbLqN0
top_20_list at 2:29 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9469 · mention_pk 27978
Click to watch at 2:29
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- cool hidden movement implementation
- expansion options expand play
Cons
- not as unique as newer solo titles
Thematic elements
- Hidden movement and deduction
- Shakespearean tragedy; Dark Lady
- mysterious, elegant
Comparison games
- Mind Management
- Sniper Elite
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Hidden movement (solo) — Dark Lady movement is tracked via cards; solo deduction.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is just my opinion my list if your favorite game isn't on here it's more likely that I haven't played it
- it's a solid tense game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video _wqcnoc7xn0
Foster the Meeple top_10_list at 14:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8696 · mention_pk 25655
Click to watch at 14:02
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- highly unique, thematic solo experience
- smooth gameplay and strong challenge
Cons
- hard to find copies; a newer expansion may exist
Thematic elements
- hidden movement, clue deduction
- Shakespearean London, mystery and deduction
- theater-inspired noir
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- deck_based_clues — draw and interpret clues to locate the target
- hidden_movement — move a hidden target to deduce location
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's so fun
- it's such a great little solo puzzle
- the animals are adorable
- it's so good it's such a good solo game
- I freaking love it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video KEVxI8HQqpM
Foster the Mele top_5_list at 9:11 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8279 · mention_pk 24270
Click to watch at 9:11
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- highly unique and thematic
- compact box with substantial depth
- accessible once the core deduction idea is understood
Cons
- the deduction can be heavy and may deter casual players
Thematic elements
- murder mystery and deduction in a theatrical setting
- Shakespearean London; hidden movement deduction
- thematic, atmospheric detective work
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Hidden movement — the solver tracks the killer’s movements through clues and cards
- ordered clue deck — a specifically ordered deck provides progression and clues
- symbol-based clues — symbols in clues guide logical deduction to locate the target
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- "it's extremely difficult to win because of how the cards are randomized at the beginning"
- "I love this game because it is difficult to win, and that's kind of my ideal for a solo game"
- "This is my pick for like filler travel buttonshy game basically"
- "Final Girl, and you can mix and match any location"
- "I actually love that because it's so thematic"
- "Never going on a ferry again"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 5nMM35qw_VM
Beyond Solitaire playthrough at 0:14 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 6737 · mention_pk 20009
Click to watch at 0:14
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- espionage and covert operations in wartime
- World War II-era Europe (context implied by publisher lineage and prior title discussion)
- contextual, theme-driven, potentially darker in tone
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- unknown — not elaborated on in the transcript; referenced only as a published title alongside Mackey
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- "Hey gamers this is Liz Davidson from Beyond Solitaire and today I want to show you how to play Mackey"
- "this is a solo worker placement game and it is about the French Resistance during World War Two"
- "we're gonna be placing our workers around this map and trust me it is a lot harder than it looks"
- "during each turn we're going to be placing our own guys from the safehouse onto different parts of the board"
- "the missions are like these little locations that we're gonna place right off the board right on top"
- "we need to be getting money to come up here and get weapons and then we need to deliver them to the spy"
- "the morale card is what this morale counter is doing"
- "one of the most brutal things about the scheme is that we don't have any starting resources"
- "you have to maximize the actions that are on this board"
- "this game is really difficult you have to be very creative and how you block is the main trick"
- "I lose this game a lot this will be a short demo but let's walk through our first turn"
- "this is a great next entry into the Side Room Games publishing house and I'm really excited about it"
- "ha the factory is destroyed a mission was complete"
- "I'm really enjoying it; it's such a fun small voxel solitaire worker placement game"
- "it's a fun puzzle and rewarding to think through what your options are"
- "this game rewards experience but also has enough different missions to feel a little bit different each game you play"
- "I'm really excited about the print-to-physical transition and backing it on Kickstarter"
- "the routing and blocking are the core of the tension here"
- "we'll get away with it so let's hope nobody messes us up here at the black market"
- "it's extremely tense when the paths start to close and you realize you might get arrested"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ZA0fpk-vbPE
Foster the Me top_10_list at 0:11 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4601 · mention_pk 13475
Click to watch at 0:11
Overall sentiment (raw)
very_positive
Pros
- unique hidden movement solo mechanic
- engaging deduction puzzle
- beautiful thematic integration
- deeply enamoring first play experience
Cons
- extremely difficult to find copy
- solo-only limits multiplayer options
Thematic elements
- Shakespeare
- Elizabethan era
- London
- mystery
- literary references
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- These are our list our list not yours don't worry about it
- Eagles fly alone everybody knows that about eagles
- Sometimes the cats fall a little
- Yo ho ho and everyone's like looking at us and being like what are they playing
- I fully appreciate and love the Simplicity of this game
- Theme and mechanisms intertwining and meshing perfectly
- It's like a badge of honor to win this game
- Scythe was one of my propellants into the hobby
- Heat is a racing game that comes with so much freaking content
- These are the best games in the entire world it's not even our opinion it's objective
- I really thought undaunted was going to be in my top 20 for sure
- The problem is our dog is terrified of this game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video V-4gF9pNOss
Meet Me At The Table playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3594 · mention_pk 10677
Click to watch at 0:00
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- compact and portable; great for travel
- unique stealth deck mechanic with alphabet ordering
- rich ambient theme and a historical background book included
- multiple play modes (easier/normal/advanced) as a cover card option
- rules are clear and well-presented, with extra context
Cons
- primarily solitaire; two-player or group play is not the primary design intent
- deduction can be challenging and unforgiving for some players
- editions may differ between Kickstarter and retail, leading to potential component tweaks
Thematic elements
- mystery, deduction, espionage-like pursuit
- London, Victorian era; pursuit of the Dark Lady from Shakespeare's sonnets
- poetic, Shakespearean intrigue with a forensic deduction arc
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- deduction — Clue cards and symbol matching constrain where the Dark Lady can be; players deduce identity.
- fog cards — Fog or disruption cards add complexity to searches and can be used during searches.
- Hidden movement — Dark Lady moves secretly around a London map; players deduce her location.
- location and movement cards — Locations and movement are represented by cards; progression reveals new possibilities and constraints.
- stealth deck (alphabet order) — A deck built in alphabetical order (A–Z) governs Dark Lady's actions and deck reveals.
- timed/countdown condition — A countdown determines how many times the stealth deck can be cycled before losing.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I love this stealth deck
- compact you can take it wherever you go
- this game is for one players
- I enjoy this stealth deck I think it's really neat
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video MteRWUXftOk
Foster the Meeple general_discussion at 2:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2793 · mention_pk 8137
Click to watch at 2:16
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- strong solo-deduction flavor
- thematic tie-in with Shakespearean event (Shakespeare by the Sea)
Cons
- limited to solo format; not ideal for groups
Thematic elements
- Shakespearean intrigue; secret dark Lady
- London during Shakespearean era
- solo hidden movement/deduction
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Hidden movement — the Dark Lady moves covertly around London; player deduces location
- Solo Play — intended for one player with a solvable objective
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Black Sonata is a solo game so you know what you don't want to be bugged during your summertime activities
- you could play this game by yourself
- Five cucumbers is a trick taking game where you are trying they're pickles they're definitely pickles
- For Sale you are buying and selling properties just like you do in the summertime in real life
- The Witches Brew their potions in the forest
- Friday the game
- in Friday it's technically named after a person called Friday but every day for him is Friday
- it's not really summertime appropriate
- you are building out habitats… the land is pretty rad
- everything is in neon colors just like in the summer
- sand is a Freedman Freeze give this where you're like building sand castles
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video kXHuPcidVbc
pyboard gamer rules teach at 0:24 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2032 · mention_pk 5825
Click to watch at 0:24
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Innovative use of a stealth/deck mechanic to simulate the Dark Lady's movements
- Clear procedural flow with distinct setup, play, and win conditions
- Tight solitaire puzzle with escalating deduction and planning
- Thematic flavor tied to Shakespearean lore and London districts
Cons
- Heavy rule complexity may be daunting for new players
- Fiddly setup and maintenance of multiple decks and tokens
- Reliance on luck of the stealth deck could affect consistency
Thematic elements
- deduction and stealth against a moving target
- London, Victorian era, Shakespearean setting featuring the Dark Lady
- puzzle-driven, single-player solitaire with card-driven movement
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- confrontation and counting — to win, players must deduce three symbols; timing via countdown and scoring calculation.
- fog cards — introduce uncertainty about Lady's position and available actions.
- location and clue cards — location cards correspond to districts; clue cards are revealed through searches to gain progress.
- move and action choices — players choose to pass, move to an adjacent district, or search their current location; actions advance round.
- search mechanics — searching a district uses cards to reveal clues or fail; success yields a clue card and progress.
- stealth deck — cards determine potential movements of the Dark Lady, with certain cards excluded based on top sequence; determines location changes.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the mechanics that make this thing work are phenomenal and so so clever
- confronting the dark lady is a tense, table-driven climax
- searching is a high-stakes attempt that either yields a clue or confirms the Lady's anonymity
- the countdown card adds pressure and momentum toward a final confrontation
- Black Sonata's design elegantly ties theme to mechanism through the stealth deck and clue system
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video YOIh74c00xo
Brothers Murph top_10_list at 4:46 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1754 · mention_pk 5048
Click to watch at 4:46
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Unique cat and mouse mechanic
- Clever deduction system
- Interesting trait-based identification
- Complex puzzle to solve
- Well-designed mechanical implementation
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Finding the woman who inspired Shakespeare's sonnets
- Shakespearean England/London
- Solo deduction mystery
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Accusation system — Player can accuse to gather information about traits but must be in same location
- Cat and mouse pursuit — Woman moves through a predetermined pattern that player must deduce
- deduction — Player must figure out who the mysterious woman is through information gathering
- Movement prediction — Woman's movement pattern is set in cards but hidden; player must be in right spot at right time
- Solo only — Game is designed exclusively for solo play
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this doesn't feel like any other game... that's kind of what made us think about this
- this is a really interesting 3D puzzle where you are trying to build up stuff so that you can place it out but not score points
- you can strategically kind of change reality, which is just really, really kind of cool and unique
- I fundamentally do not understand how a brain thinks of a game like this. It's just so cool.
- I fundamentally don't understand how it works, but it works really, really well
- what if battleship was real time with a bunch of people and everyone had different roles
- it's fun to kind of cosplay as a collectible card game player, uh, but while keeping it still a board game at the end of the day
- For our money, the most unique game out there is Millennium Blades
- they provide an experience that... there's no other game that does it quite like those games do it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video LHeRAdHHs6s
Foster the Meeple top_10_list at 22:35 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1634 · mention_pk 4739
Click to watch at 22:35
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- unique gameplay
- really enjoyed it
Cons
- solo only game
- not played last year
- other solo games hitting table more
Thematic elements
- Shakespeare
- historical mystery
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- solo hidden movement — unique solo game with hidden movement mechanics
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we're products of what we've played
- objectively most games are good
- the longer I'm in this hobby the more I have identified that I love very heavy strategic War based games
- people play games differently
- I just wish people would be a little bit more cognizant of what the people around the table are doing to the game
- every year there's a new card game that comes out that we just go head over heels for
- the odds that I'm going to get a chance to play this game are probably pretty limited
- I would argue none of them are like something I'm like itching to get out and play
- it's all about betting the right amount of hands and trying to screw other people over
- how do you compete with new content constantly being released
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–11 of 11