Last year I did a post of about games that were in some way related to Notre dame de Paris, either through setting, history, branding or actually based on the book/the building.
It was writing that post that I learned of the existence of Lego’s Notre Dame de Paris set as part of their Architecture line. Now I had at that point never ever had or owned a lego set but it was very tempting all the same. Shortly after being tempted by the Notre Dame de Paris set I got the Poinsettia kit which made me want the Notre Dame one even more. And Christmas of 2024 I got my very own Notre Dame de Paris set to build and maybe love.
So now that it’s been about a year what do I think about this set. Is it good? Is it overrated? Did I even start it? Is it even that nice to look once it’s done if I indeed finished the thing?
On my Parisian Game Night Post I suggested the Lego Notre Dame de Paris would a good option as fun activity. I also said in that post that I was tempted by it despite having very limited experience with Legos.
It’s Christmas Time and Notre Dame is set to re-open on December 8th so I thought for this post why not do a list of Notre Dame/France themed games that you can get for yourself or gift to someone for your next game night.
This is the classic Rio Grande Games Notre Dame. I haven’t played this one myself but it’s not based on the book/movie. Instead “players take on the roles of the heads of influential families in Paris at the end of the 14th century. ” boardgamegeek.com
It does sound like fun, if not challenging.
Now this one I have played and I’m quite bad at it but it’s fun. Wizards of the Coast Guillotine has players picking which nobles get sent to lose their heads. There is a strategy as players can change the order of the line to collect more points and mess with other players which is part of the fun.
Kronologic Paris 1920 is a “who-dun-it” much like Clue but with smoother game play. And while there are lots of board games that are murder mysteries this one is set in Paris at the Opera house in 1920, so it has a great aesthetic.
I’ve played another version of this game which has players building and connecting train lines. Ticket to Ride Europe takes the concept and sets it in Europe, so you know Paris gets a lot attention in this game. There are dozens of versions of Ticket to Ride though because who doesn’t love a good train?
Ravensburger Castles of Burgundy Board Game looks tough to me but it does look like fun especially paired with a bottle of burgundy wine to complete the vibe. “The game is set in the Burgundy region of High Medieval France. Each player takes on the role of an aristocrat, originally controlling a small princedom. While playing they aim to build settlements and powerful castles, practice trade along the river, exploit silver mines, and use the knowledge of travelers.” – from boardgamegeek.com. Remember in the book Phoebus had Burgundy look because it was the style at the time
Now I’m a BIG fan of the original version of Dixit so imagine my delight to learn that there was Disney Dixit Edition. Players have a hand of cards with dream-like images on them. Each turn one player is the storyteller, they pick a card and say a sentence about it without showing the card. The other players pick a card from their own hands that best suits the sentence. Each player has to guess which card is the storyteller’s. Points are awarded based how the players guessed.
It’s a lot of fun. And Hunchback does a card as each of their animated movies* has one up to Encanto plus Pixar. It did take me a minute to find Hunchback’s card in the card list picture BUT I found it and it’s Esmeralda surrounded by candles, it’s very pretty.
*except for oddly Tarzan, Fantasia 2000 and the anthologies
Worthington Games: Levee En Masse Deluxe: The Wars of The French Revolution, 1789-1802 2022 Board Game might be out-of-print given how much it goes for online. “This solitaire game, suitable for group and classroom cooperative game play, tells the story of the French Revolution through its key events and decision points. You must stop the advances of foreign armies and the counter-revolutionary forces within France itself to defend the virtues of Republicanism.” – boardgamegeek
There are also Notre Dame Adult Jigsaw Puzzles and of course the impressive and imposing Notre Dame de Paris Lego set. That would be something to attempt. I have no lego game but it’s mighty tempting. Update- I actually did the lego Poinsettia kit so now I have a little lego game now I want the Notre Dame set even more.
Have you played any of these games? Which one would you want to play?
I tried playing, it didn’t go well. It took me a while to find my jump button but it’s a jump avoid thing with the end goal being saving a blonde Esmeralda who wears red. Hey, she isn’t the only blonde Esmeralda in the world, oddly enough who wears red, she’s the Esmeralda from the 1999 French Parody version. Though in this game’s case it was supposed to be a Robin Hood game with you saving Maid Marion. It was made by Century Electronics which was an English company.
Hunchback 1983 Arcade Game
My high score was 800 which considering that is only clearing the first screen, is pathetic. I just could not jump and move to grab the rope to swing over the fire pit Happy Playing!
I have been a little busy and I haven’t had the time to work on the 1982 costume review post. So today here is a special treat, A let’s play video of the Les Miserable Fighting Game a.k.a Arm Joe!
The first time I heard Belle from Notre Dame de Paris one of my first thoughts was “This sounds like a piece of music from Final Fantasy IX.” Now at the risk of sounding like a “gamer” (which I’m really not), Final Fantasy IX is one of my favorite games ever. The piece of music from the game that sounds like Belle is called “Freya’s Theme. ”
Now it’s only in the beginning of each that they sound similar. For first 7 seconds of each they really sound alike. They both have the same rhythms, beats and tone. But Belle’s tempo is much slower and the use of instruments is different. Belle uses guitars and Freya’s Theme uses what sounds like a harpsichord (I think). In any case, both pieces use strings.
Maybe it’s because I love Final Fantasy IX so much that helped me gravitate to Belle and Notre Dame de Paris. But they’re are both great pieces of music. Also bells are important item during the part where this music play in Final Fantasy IX. Coincidence? Oh, I think not.
Well actually I do. But isn’t that kind of cool. But then again the game does look to European history and style so they are more than likely refefencing the same music roots. But it’s worth noting that in Japanese the main character’s name is “Jitan” which is how the Japanese spell Gitan meaning Gyspy. So I suppose it’s possible that the production team took inspiration for Notre Dame de Paris as the Final Fantasy IX was being made right after the musical came out in Paris. Though I really doubt that.
from Notre Dame de Paris one of my first thoughts was “This sounds like a piece of music from 
.” Now at the risk of sounding like a “gamer” (which I’m really not), Final Fantasy IX is one of my favorite games ever. The piece of music from the game that sounds like Belle is called “Freya’s Theme. ”
