Imagine a chilling horror comic where deadly killers roam a small town, battling to the death—now, picture bringing that madness to your dining room table as a strategic card game. Tiny Onion's Exquisite Corpses is making that wild leap, and it's about to change how we play with fear!
But here's the twist that might surprise you: this isn't just another comic adaptation; it's a bold experiment in blending storytelling with interactive mayhem. If you've ever wondered how a tale of ruthless competition could morph into a social strategy game, stick around—because Tiny Onion is inviting everyone, from seasoned gamers to complete newcomers, to dive in and unleash their inner strategist (or killer).
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Updated: November 12, 2025, at 11 p.m.
Renowned comics creator James Tynion IV has been deeply immersed in crafting creator-owned horror stories lately, going so far as to launch his own publishing house called Tiny Onion. Their flagship project, Exquisite Corpses—co-created with artist Michael Walsh—has captured imaginations and built a loyal fanbase. Now, building on that success, it's evolving beyond the pages of a comic book into an engaging tabletop card game.
Tiny Onion recently unveiled an official website for Exquisite Corpses: The Game (accessible at https://www.playexquisitecorpses.com/). This site offers more than just hype; fans can download a printable beta version complete with detailed instructions, allowing them to test the waters right away. Plus, there's an entertaining playthrough video featuring the Tiny Onion crew and popular ASMR creator ALB, demonstrating the game in action and giving you a real sense of the fun chaos it promises.
Take a peek at the slideshow below for an up-close view of some of the game's cards, which bring the comic's eerie vibe to life on the table.
And this is the part most people miss: The core concept of Exquisite Corpses lends itself brilliantly to a strategy game, almost like it was designed for it. For beginners who might not be familiar, the comic follows a group of affluent families locked in a fierce rivalry that erupts every five years on Halloween. In the most recent showdown, 12 of the world's most lethal assassins are set loose in the quaint town of Oak Valley, Maine, where they clash in a brutal contest—only one emerges victorious. It's a high-stakes narrative of survival and cunning that translates seamlessly into card-based competition, where players might strategize alliances, betrayals, and deadly maneuvers, much like the killers in the story. For example, just as the comic builds tension through unexpected twists, the game encourages players to outwit friends by planning surprises or forging temporary pacts that can turn into backstabs—think of it as a more sinister version of classic games like Risk or even Monopoly, but with a horror edge that keeps everyone on their toes.
“The idea of 'play' is central to everything we're creating at Tiny Onion, and Exquisite Corpses: The Game represents our first major step in that direction,” Tynion shared in a press statement. “No matter if you're a veteran of tabletop games or trying this for the first time, we're thrilled for you to experience the full version and craft your own narrative of the Oak Valley tournament alongside your best buddies—or maybe your fiercest rivals.”
Walsh added his perspective: “Developing Exquisite Corpses: The Game has been an absolute blast for me. I aimed to create something that fits perfectly into the comic universe while also thriving as an independent, enjoyable social strategy game. Over the last couple of years, I've enjoyed 'taking out' my friends during testing sessions, and I'm eager for fans to embody their favorite comic killers and role-play epic showdowns.”
The polished edition of Exquisite Corpses: The Game is slated for launch through a Kickstarter campaign in Spring 2026. Interested players can register on the website (via https://manage.kmail-lists.com/subscriptions/subscribe?a=X7dfRy&g=UNYMQq) to get alerts when the campaign kicks off. Meanwhile, if you haven't dived into the source material yet, you can grab Exquisite Corpses Vol. 1 on Amazon (linked here: https://www.amazon.com/Exquisite-Corpses-James-Tynion-IV/dp/1534331042/?tag=igndeals14-20).
Jesse Schedeen is a laid-back staff writer at IGN. Follow him on BlueSky (https://bsky.app/profile/jschedeen.bsky.social) for sharp insights that might just sharpen your own thoughts.
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But here's where it gets controversial: Is turning a story about deadly killers into a game that encourages 'killing' your friends a harmless thrill, or does it risk normalizing violence in a way that crosses into uncomfortable territory? Some might argue it's just edgy fun, a step up from board games with themes of conquest, while others could see it as glorifying real-world horrors. What do you think—does this blend of horror and gameplay push boundaries in a good way, or is it a bridge too far? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have a fresh take on how games like this shape our perceptions of dark themes!
