Twisted Cryptids

Twisted Cryptids - The Myth Awaits

Enter the eerie depths of the wilderness as mysterious beings flit through mist and shadow—it’s Twisted Cryptids, the immersive strategy game where players embody legendary creatures hiding from humans. As cryptids engage in wilderness hoping, they stealthily evade detection by hunters, hikers, and researchers, building their myth and legend in the untamed wilds. In this sly, whimsical showdown, cryptids craft hoaxes, plant decoys, and balance self-revelation to climb the ranks of myth. Will you outwit hikers, hunters, researchers—and your fellow cryptids—to earn the title of True Legend?

Introduction to the Game

Step into the heart of a love-hate relationship as old as legend itself—cryptids versus humans. In Twisted Cryptids, an immersive strategy game, players choose their favorite cryptid, each boasting unique powers and secret hiding spots deep within the wilderness. Your mission? Lurk discreetly in the shadows, using hidden trait cards and action cards to stage elaborate hoaxes and plant perfect decoys, all while humans roam the board, eager to catch a glimpse of your true self.

Every move is a delicate dance between exposure and secrecy. Will you risk revealing your hidden trait for a score bonus myth, or keep your identity shrouded to avoid being caught? The game’s objective is clear: outwit your rivals and the ever-watchful humans to achieve the greatest total myth and claim the title of true legend. With trait cards that shape your strategy and action cards that let you manipulate the board, Twisted Cryptids challenges you to master the art of myth-making in a world where every shadow could be your sanctuary—or your downfall.

Introduction to the Game

Step into the heart of a love-hate relationship as old as legend itself—cryptids versus humans. In Twisted Cryptids, an immersive strategy game, players choose their favorite cryptid, each boasting unique powers and secret hiding spots deep within the wilderness. Your mission? Lurk discreetly in the shadows, using hidden trait cards and action cards to stage elaborate hoaxes and plant perfect decoys, all while humans roam the board, eager to catch a glimpse of your true self.

Every move is a delicate dance between exposure and secrecy. Will you risk revealing your hidden trait for a score bonus myth, or keep your identity shrouded to avoid being caught? The game’s objective is clear: outwit your rivals and the ever-watchful humans to achieve the greatest total myth and claim the title of true legend. With trait cards that shape your strategy and action cards that let you manipulate the board, Twisted Cryptids challenges you to master the art of myth-making in a world where every shadow could be your sanctuary—or your downfall.

Game Overview

From 2 to 4 players (officially accommodating sleeved cards), Twisted Cryptids is accessible yet deeply strategic. Players can gain an advantage by leveraging their cryptid's unique powers and hidden traits strategically. Each game lasts roughly 60 minutes, perfect for game nights or casual competitions.

You’re a Cryptid

Select from a roster of cryptids—Bigfoot, Chupacabra, Mothman, Loch Ness—each with a unique hidden trait card and special abilities. Your identity is secret, your motives uncertain, your tricks cunning.

Each cryptid must carefully weigh the vulnerability of exposure against the rewards of myth-building.

Survive & Myth-build

Humans roam the colorful wilderness board, scattering across trails and forest clearings as researchers scatter across the wilderness in search of cryptids. Each turn, cryptids move between hiding spots, behind trees or rocks, planting perfect decoys or staging elaborate hoaxes to mislead researchers. Your goal? Build sightings without getting caught.

Gameplay Mechanics

Movement & Hiding

Cryptids silently lurk, choose destinations, and lay decoys. Movement must be calculated—being too visible might boost your myth, but getting caught sends you scrambling to scurry home and avoid detection.

Hoaxes & Decoys

Use action cards to stage illusions—making lights in the sky, footprints, or eerie sounds. Successfully tricking humans garners myth points. However, if researchers uncover your hoax, you’re exposed. You have been warned: exposure comes with risks and potential penalties.

Reveal vs Hide

Every cryptid maintains a balance between staying hidden and revealing their true self for bonus myth. But revealing can backfire—humans remember faces, lowering your stealth, and if not timed carefully, you can lose stealth or myth points.

Scoring: Myth Matters

Points come from:

• Staged hoaxes

• Bonus myth objectives

• Avoiding exposure

• Unveiling personal truth strategically

At the end of the game, players flip over any remaining Sightings and Hidden Trait cards, determining the final myth totals.

The process of determining the winner involves assessing all revealed cards and myth points.

By game’s end, the player with the greatest total myth wins and is deemed the True Legend.

Enhancing the Game with Expansions

1. Alien Invasion Mini Expansion
   Invite little green invaders to the board! Adds flying saucers and farmer distractions, shifting hunters’ attention.

2. Unicorn Frenzy Mini Expansion
   Magical sparkles and rainbow hideouts; adds unpredictable mystery and whimsical distraction dynamics.

3. Field Trip Mini Expansion
   Tourists flood in depending on season cards—adding numbers and noise to crowd players.

Additionally, the Yeti or Not Expansion is available in a Kickstarter Exclusive Edition, featuring unique packaging and upgraded components only for backers during the Kickstarter campaign.

Alien Invasion Expansion

Prepare for an out-of-this-world twist with the Alien Invasion Mini Expansion! This expansion catapults your cryptid adventures into new territory, as mysterious extraterrestrials descend upon the wilderness. Now, as you navigate the game’s lush landscapes, you’ll need to avoid not just humans, but alien encounters as well—each bringing fresh challenges and opportunities.

The Alien Invasion Mini Expansion introduces new action cards, hidden trait cards, and sighting cards, all designed to help you stage even more elaborate hoaxes and plant perfect decoys. Use these new tools to mislead both humans and aliens, keeping your cryptid’s identity safe while racking up myth points. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the base game, this expansion adds a thrilling layer of strategy, making every move in the wilderness a high-stakes gamble. Ready to outsmart both earthlings and visitors from beyond? The myth just got a whole lot bigger.

Yeti or Not Expansion

Unleash the chill of the unknown with the Yeti or Not Expansion, a Kickstarter exclusive that brings frosty new thrills to Twisted Cryptids. Housed in a striking lenticular cover box and featuring an expanded vac tray that accommodates sleeved cards, this expansion is as practical as it is eye-catching. Inside, you’ll discover new cryptid cards, action cards, and hidden trait cards, each offering fresh ways to build your myth and score bonus myth points.

But that’s not all—the Yeti or Not Expansion introduces innovative mechanics, letting you lure or scare humans to shift the balance of power in the wilderness. With every action, you’ll need to weigh the risks and rewards, using your new tools to outmaneuver rivals and avoid exposure. Whether you’re a collector drawn to the Kickstarter exclusive box or a strategist eager for new ways to achieve true legend status, this expansion is a must-have for any cryptid’s arsenal.

Component Breakdown

The Big Twisted Box

Keep your cryptid collection safe, organized, and ready for adventure with The Big Twisted Box. Designed to hold the base game, all expansions, and your favorite accessories, this extra-large box is the ultimate storage solution for Twisted Cryptids fans. Inside, you’ll find a dedicated space for the wilderness board, a Rest Area for Human tokens, and custom Cryptid meeples for tracking your mythic progress.

The internal tray is thoughtfully crafted to accommodate sleeved cards, ensuring your components stay pristine and easy to access. Extra card dividers make setup and cleanup a breeze, so you can spend less time searching and more time strategizing in the wilderness. Whether you’re at home or on the go, The Big Twisted Box keeps your game—and your legend—intact.

Human Meeple Set

Bring the world of Twisted Cryptids to life with the Human Meeple Set! This set features 36 custom wooden meeples, with 12 unique designs for each Human flavor, adding a vibrant, tactile element to your games. Plus, with bonus stickers for Cryptid, Unicorn, Vehicle, and UFO meeples, you can personalize your pieces and make every session uniquely yours.

The Human Meeple Set isn’t just about looks—it enhances gameplay by making human movement and encounters more engaging and immersive. Compatible with expansions like the Yeti or Not Expansion and the Cryptid Culture Expansion, this set is perfect for players who want to dive deeper into the wilderness and outwit humans on their way to becoming the true legend. Add it to your collection and watch your cryptid adventures come alive!

Strategic Elements

• Hidden Identity: You never know your opponents’ cryptid until they reveal—and they won’t easily. Bluffing is key.

• Area Control: Use decoys and hoaxes to monopolize hotspots—beware proximity to researchers.

• Timing is Everything: Especially for self-reveal—it can swing myth scores drastically.

• Adaptation: Randomized human movement means flexibility wins over rigid plans.

• Counterplay: Use cards to muddy rivals’ hoaxes, expose them, or trigger distracting events.

• Risk and Reward: Every action comes at a price—whether risking exposure, deceiving others, or making bold moves, players must weigh the potential costs against the rewards.

Player Experience

• Beginners: Learn movement, action cards, and hoax mechanics quickly

• Strategists: Track human movement, decoy placement, and opponent behavior for deep tactical depth

• Social Players: The hidden-identity aspect fuels interaction and bluffing, making every reveal a moment of drama

• Replayability: Rotating trait cards, expansion choices, and human shuffle ensure high variability

Unique Selling Points

• Combines bluff, area control, mythology, humor, and deduction

• Light ruleset, deep outcomes—easy to pick up, hard to master

• Multiple expansions for thematic twists and renewed gameplay, shaped by community feedback and suggestions

• Accommodates players using sleeved cards from day one

• Visual charm with expanded vac tray, quirky cryptid art, and tactile tokens

Target Audiences

• Casual gamers: Quick setup, light rules, fun theme

• Board game enthusiasts: Hidden identity depth, strategic tension

• Families: Easy enough for 10+, yet engaging for adults

• Collectors: Includes exclusive content for Kickstarter backers

Join the Twisted Cryptids community on Facebook for the latest updates and to discuss the game with other fans.

Your Wilderness Awaits

Are you ready to slip through the shadows? To stage perfect hoaxes and gain reputational power before humans catch on? In Twisted Cryptids, the wilderness is your canvas, your myth is your weapon—and only one cryptid will become a legend.

• Age 10+: Family-friendly with mature strategic flavor

• For 2–4 players: Best experience at 3 to maximize interaction

• About 60 minutes per session: Crisis-free play sessions for game night

Don't wait—join the adventure now!

Bonus Tips to Maximize Play

1. Study human patterns early—they’re predictable once tracked.

2. Bluff with trait reveals—hint at vulnerabilities to mislead opponents.

3. Unlock expansions slowly—start basic, then add one for variety.

4. Plan your ultimate reveal carefully—timing your true self reveal can steal a win.

5. Use decoys tactically—not just for distraction, but to break opponents’ strategy.

FAQs

Q: How many players can play?
A: Officially supports 2–4 players. Best with 3–4 for maximum interaction.

Q: Are expansions required?
A: No—base game complete by itself. Mini expansions and Kickstarter extras take it to the next level.

Q: Is card sleeving okay?
A: Yes—the vac tray and card sizing are designed to accommodate sleeved cards effortlessly.

Q: Is there a digital version?
A: Not currently. It’s built as a tactile, offline adventure best for social gameplay.

Q: How do I review and verify my shipping address on file before completing my pledge?
A: Before completing your pledge, review your order details and verify that your shipping address on file is correct in BackerKit. Double-check all information to ensure accurate delivery.

Q: What should I do if I need to contact support to update my address?
A: If you need to update your shipping address after the survey, contact support as soon as possible before the address lockdown deadline to ensure your information is correct for delivery.

Q: How do I use the survey link and make sure I am logged in to complete my pledge?
A: Click the survey link sent to your email and ensure you are logged into your BackerKit account. This allows you to access your project, review your selections, and complete your pledge.

Final Thoughts

Twisted Cryptids is a playful, strategic gamble with mythological flair, clever deception, and richly interactive gameplay. Whether you’re building a small reputation based on a few hoaxes or going for the legendary reveal, this game offers lighthearted, high-def hilarity and smart decision-making.

Gather your fellow cryptids—or introduce a skeptic friend to the genre—and uncover your myth together. After all, legend is not born—it’s crafted in shadows.

Claim your place in cryptid legend—Order Twisted Cryptids today, and let your myth begin.