The Game*

The Game is a cooperative card game that challenges players to strategically discard all 98 cards onto four piles. It requires careful planning and teamwork, with a hint of luck, to achieve victory.

Game Overview:

  • Theme: A numerical card game focused on cooperation and strategy.
  • Goal: To discard all 98 cards in the deck across four discard piles.

Gameplay:

  • Players start with 6-8 cards in hand, depending on the number of participants.
  • The game table features four discard pile prompt cards – two showing “1” with an upward arrow and two showing “100” with a downward arrow.
  • On their turn, players must discard at least two cards onto one or more of the discard piles. Cards on the “1” piles must be played in ascending order, while those on the “100” piles in descending order.
  • There’s a twist: players can play a card exactly 10 higher or lower than the top card of a discard pile, overriding the usual ascending/descending rule.
  • Post-turn, players draw cards from the deck to replenish their hand.

Communication and Strategy:

  • Players cannot share specific numbers in their hands but can give hints or suggest strategic moves.
  • The game demands collaborative strategy, as players must work together to effectively use the deck and manage the discard piles.

Winning the Game:

  • The game is won if players successfully discard all 98 cards.
  • To increase difficulty, advanced rules suggest players discard at least three cards per turn.

Conclusion:

The Game is an engaging cooperative experience, blending elements of strategy, communication, and a touch of challenge. Its simple rules, combined with the need for collective decision-making and strategic discarding, make it an accessible yet compelling game for players who enjoy cooperative and puzzle-solving elements in their board games.

Nominated for 3 awards.

⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2015

  • 1 - 5 Players
  • 20 Minutes
  • 8+ years old
  • Immediately playable

We like The Game so much that we recommend it in the following board game recommendation lists 2024

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