That's Life!*

That's Life! (also known as Verflixxt!) revitalizes the traditional roll-and-move game genre with elements that give players more strategic control. In this game, players navigate a path laid out with tiles, aiming to collect as many positive tiles as possible while avoiding negative ones. The addition of guards and clovers introduces strategic depth, turning what could be a game of chance into one of tactical decision-making.

Gameplay Overview

• Path Navigation: Players roll a die and move their tokens along a path composed of both positive and negative tiles, collecting tiles as they go.
• Tile Collection: If a player's token is the last on a tile, they collect it, affecting the game's path and potentially their score.
• Guard Mechanism: Guards placed on specific tiles prevent their collection, adding a layer of strategy in movement and token placement.
• End Game Scoring: The game ends once all tokens reach the end of the path. Players then score based on the tiles they've collected, with clovers converting negative scores to positive.

Special Features

• Tile Variants: The game includes variants that randomize the path setup and introduce a "give/steal" mechanic, significantly altering gameplay and strategy.
• Stacking Mechanic: In the 2020 version, collected tiles are stacked, with the "give/steal" tile affecting the topmost tile in a player's stack, introducing a new strategic element.
• Clover Complexity: A variant where the clover affects only the tile directly beneath it in a player's stack adds a strategic consideration to clover collection.

Conclusion

That's Life! offers a modern twist on the classic roll-and-move mechanics, injecting strategy and player choice into a genre often criticized for its reliance on luck. With its simple setup but deep strategic options, That's Life! is a family-friendly game that appeals to both casual gamers looking for a light, fun experience and more seasoned players seeking strategic depth. The game's variants and tile mechanics ensure that no two games are the same, providing endless replayability and challenges for players of all ages.