Last Minute^*

Last Minute is a cooperative real-time card game for 1 to 4 players aged 8 and up. Your team has to defuse a string of bombs before a very short timer runs out.

What's it about?

You play an elite (or so they say) bomb squad. Each bomb card in the middle of the table needs specific wire cards. The game was designed by Romaric Galonnier and Luc Rémond and is published by inPatience, with Pegasus Spiele handling the German edition. The small box holds 68 cards and 10 tokens.

How it plays

A game is a challenge of three missions. Training missions teach the rules gradually, while Operations randomize the bombs and their restrictions. Each mission works like this:

1. Lay out the bombs and restrictions, then deal wire cards face down to everyone.
2. Start the timer: 120 seconds solo, down to 60 seconds with four players.
3. Everyone plays wires under the matching bombs at the same time, always in descending order.
4. Finish every required wire before time is up and the mission succeeds.

You can talk as much as you like, but you may never show your hand. That tension is the whole point.

Who is it for?

• Groups looking for a quick opener or closer
• Solo players, since solo mode uses the same rules
• Families with kids around 8 and up who enjoy time pressure

Players who like to think slowly will find it stressful. A full game takes about ten minutes.

Conclusion

Short, loud and frantic. Last Minute fits in a pocket and gets a table laughing or groaning fast. The descending order rule adds real bite: play too soon and you block yourself, wait too long and the clock beats you. Fans of real-time games will enjoy it. If you hate being rushed, skip it.