I originally heard of this as a "reverse clue". I was okay with the game that it actually turned out to be, but I think that the player's draw power is absolutely broken by default. It's a pretty slow game, especially in 2 player. It's pretty playable (large groups only) with minor homebrew changes to prevent the absurd stockipiling of failure cards though, so I had some fun with it.
A very good review of the game. This is one of our go-to games, particularly when you have a mix of adults, teens, and (smart) preteens. Not really for younger kids, due to the theme and the logical reasoning needed to be successful. Differences between the versions: the Paizo version has a MUCH nicer looking board and character tokens (no little Scottie dog? Heresy!) I suppose anyone with a little photo-editing ability could scan in the new character artwork and make their own tokens. That won't help fix the board--the 19.5 version is *very* plain. The only bonus 19.5 has over the older edition is the maps included on the back side: the ability to play on half of the board or both combined is genius! 19.5 seems to have fixed a few speedbumps in the game. In the older edition, you HAD to acquire a weapon card to try and kill Dr. Lucky. However, if the deck wasn't shuffled well this can take a loooooooong time, frustrating players. Giving killers a barehanded attack at a value of 1 was a smart move. The new edition also speeds up play by making the hallways "insta-move secret passages." In the older edition, hallways could slow things down and keep players from accumulating cards. "Reasons?" Bah! We will continue to call them "Spite Tokens." (I assume they changed the name for reasons of copyright infringement.) All in all, I'm tempted to buy the new edition, if only for the expanded roster of characters and weapons--or want to try out the variant boards. However, I'm sure we'll continue to use the old Paizo board. That thing is gorgeous! Good game. Good review.
This was my first venture into cheapass games roster, and boy was I surprised. This game is excellent! You cannot be afraid of the absolute hypocrisy of stepping on other players toes and then working together to stop the player currently making a murder attempt. It is a great family game 10+ if the theme isn't too much for younger players. 10/10 recommend when you have 5 or 6 people to play, smaller games are still good but much slower.
***** Do the updated rules make THAT much of a difference? Are they that much better? What makes them better? Trying to decide if I want to "upgrade" (if it's an upgrade at all) or just stick with my 2009 Paizo edition. Any info would be helpful. Thanks!
Retro artwork? I think it works in MOST situations. It seems appropriate in any game with a "historical setting." And it is often appropriate in sci-fi games, as well...such as Alien Frontiers, Mission Red Planet, any "steam punk" game, any "space opera" game, etc.
I didn't even realize Tom hadn't reviewed this yet! Nice. The regular edition board looks so much better than this one, yikes! I do wish the standard edition had the double sided board
We played this game, and we found it was awful. With the mechanic where it becomes your turn, it makes it possible to go a long time without having a turn. The game became a war of attrition. Eventually when everyone at the table was bored, we just chose not to stop Dr. Lucky from being killed.
Oh it totally is a war of attrition, which can be delicious if you are saving up luck while tricking others into using theirs and plowing through the deck. Like a lot of games that are not for everyone this is more about play in the other players on several levels more than just following the obvious flow of the game. And yes you can have your turn skipped, but that's why you have to plan ahead and get in other players way. This game is a big hit, especially with our more casual gamer friends.
I originally heard of this as a "reverse clue". I was okay with the game that it actually turned out to be, but I think that the player's draw power is absolutely broken by default. It's a pretty slow game, especially in 2 player. It's pretty playable (large groups only) with minor homebrew changes to prevent the absurd stockipiling of failure cards though, so I had some fun with it.
Let's be honest, James Ernest is easy one of the best game developers out there. And i loved the old Cheapass ideas.
I particularly liked Witch Trial. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to have been reprinted.
A very good review of the game. This is one of our go-to games, particularly when you have a mix of adults, teens, and (smart) preteens. Not really for younger kids, due to the theme and the logical reasoning needed to be successful.
Differences between the versions: the Paizo version has a MUCH nicer looking board and character tokens (no little Scottie dog? Heresy!) I suppose anyone with a little photo-editing ability could scan in the new character artwork and make their own tokens. That won't help fix the board--the 19.5 version is *very* plain. The only bonus 19.5 has over the older edition is the maps included on the back side: the ability to play on half of the board or both combined is genius!
19.5 seems to have fixed a few speedbumps in the game. In the older edition, you HAD to acquire a weapon card to try and kill Dr. Lucky. However, if the deck wasn't shuffled well this can take a loooooooong time, frustrating players. Giving killers a barehanded attack at a value of 1 was a smart move. The new edition also speeds up play by making the hallways "insta-move secret passages." In the older edition, hallways could slow things down and keep players from accumulating cards.
"Reasons?" Bah! We will continue to call them "Spite Tokens." (I assume they changed the name for reasons of copyright infringement.)
All in all, I'm tempted to buy the new edition, if only for the expanded roster of characters and weapons--or want to try out the variant boards. However, I'm sure we'll continue to use the old Paizo board. That thing is gorgeous!
Good game. Good review.
I tried this for the first time at Polar Vortex and really like it.
This was my first venture into cheapass games roster, and boy was I surprised. This game is excellent! You cannot be afraid of the absolute hypocrisy of stepping on other players toes and then working together to stop the player currently making a murder attempt. It is a great family game 10+ if the theme isn't too much for younger players. 10/10 recommend when you have 5 or 6 people to play, smaller games are still good but much slower.
Try some others from that company. I love Stuff and Nonsense
Yaaaaaaaaaaaasssss dr luckyyyyyy
Can the previous edition's board be used with the updated rules/cards?
*****
Do the updated rules make THAT much of a difference? Are they that much better? What makes them better? Trying to decide if I want to "upgrade" (if it's an upgrade at all) or just stick with my 2009 Paizo edition. Any info would be helpful. Thanks!
Is there a place to buy those old cheap ass games? the ones in the white envelope?
cheapass.com/free-games/ might have what you are looking for.
Retro artwork? I think it works in MOST situations. It seems appropriate in any game with a "historical setting." And it is often appropriate in sci-fi games, as well...such as Alien Frontiers, Mission Red Planet, any "steam punk" game, any "space opera" game, etc.
I didn't even realize Tom hadn't reviewed this yet! Nice. The regular edition board looks so much better than this one, yikes! I do wish the standard edition had the double sided board
We played this game, and we found it was awful.
With the mechanic where it becomes your turn, it makes it possible to go a long time without having a turn.
The game became a war of attrition. Eventually when everyone at the table was bored, we just chose not to stop Dr. Lucky from being killed.
Oh it totally is a war of attrition, which can be delicious if you are saving up luck while tricking others into using theirs and plowing through the deck. Like a lot of games that are not for everyone this is more about play in the other players on several levels more than just following the obvious flow of the game. And yes you can have your turn skipped, but that's why you have to plan ahead and get in other players way. This game is a big hit, especially with our more casual gamer friends.
Such a family friendly game.
It looks real bland. You'd expect a deluxe anniversary edition to have some nice artwork that invokes theme.
I played this a few times because a buddy of mine has it. it left me bored every time.
I tried the game a few times. It doesn't work and is really bad. No recomandation from me.
The Cheapass version has appropriate production levels, these later ones are crazily overproduced.