Obsession is a European-style, Victorian-era strategic board game that tasks players with carefully managing their household staff, house renovations, social relationships, and the family's emerging reputation in the county.

England, mid-19th century. Obsession begins with you running a run-down country house; many rooms have been closed off to save on maintenance and heating, the grounds outside are unmaintained and the façade is, in places, in desperate need of restoration. It's a long way from the estate's glory days, but you have new hope. A significant inheritance made it possible to restore the old estate and reestablish the family's reputation.

In Obsession, your country estate is represented by a series of game tiles depicting rooms and outdoor spaces that have been renovated. These renovations allow the family to organize social activities - fox hunts, music recitals, formal dinners, grand balls - while improving your family's reputation in the county and unlocking special abilities.