OK, so, yea, there is a board game based on the 1983 horror film The Keep (which was directed by — and the almost incoherent release cut disavowed by — Michael Mann). This is a companion of sorts to The Keep module for Dungeons & Dragons, also from Mayfair Games.

So, this is a hell of an odd license. For one, its for a R-rated film, and a 1983 R was harder than we’re used to now (these were the days before the weirdly PG-rated Temple of Doom — there are curtains made out of full human skins in that movie! — lead to a PG-13 rating in 1984). So, yea, not exactly a family friendly board game. Also, despite what it says on the box, it was not a “hit Paramount movie.” It bombed hard because it doesn’t make a lot of sense (though, I still dig it, I really like the novel it is based on and the Tangerine Dream soundtrack is solid). Weirder still, they used a variant of the (very cool) original movie poster that has Nazis entering the glowing door. I guess Mayfair thought the mushy couple would help appeal to more players?

As for the game itself, its asymmetrical. One player controls the evil Molasar and his dominated Nazi servants, the other players search for the sword that can kill him. Interesting thing: Molasar starts with twelve servants, but has to eat one every round to maintain his power, making him less formidable as the game goes on. Once he’s out of servants, though, game over, because he’s powerful enough to destroy the whole world now. Its sounds a bit long at twelve turns, but more interesting than I actually expected. I might try to get this to the table.

Weird thing: this came with a signed certificate of authenticity, saying it was a sealed copy from the collection of the designer of the game, which is neat!