Game Review

Concept:

Describe the target word to your teammates without using any of the "taboo" words.

Gameplay:

Players separate into two teams. To play, teams must be seated in an alternating order -- team A, team B, A, B, etc. Topic cards are placed in a holder and handed to the first member of a team. This person is the clue-giver. The players immediately next to them (the opposing team!) are given a buzzer, and are allowed to look at the cards the clue-giver is using.

A one minute timer is flipped, and the clue-giver must describe the word at the top of the card to their team. However, they cannot use any form of any of the other words listed on the card. The goal is to get your team to guess the word on the top of the card.

If your team guesses the word, and there is still time remaining, the clue-giver takes the next card in the stack and must describe that clue, too. The clue-giver's team gets 1 point for each correctly guessed word.

If the clue-giver says one of the words that are not allowed, the opponents press the buzzer. The word is taken away, and a new word is drawn. For each buzzed word, the opponents get one point. If the timer expires, but the word was not buzzed, the card is discarded and no points are given for that card.

After the timer expires, the points are tallied. The card holder is passed to the next person (opposing team), and they become the new clue-giver. Play alternates like this until each player has been clue-giver once.

Winning Conditions:

• The team who has the most points at the end of the game wins.

Our Opinion:

This is yet another excellent party game. It is difficult and hilariously funny at the same time.

The game proves to be very frustrating when you combine time pressure with the restriction against using the most obvious words to describe the target word. The buzzer adds that extra game-show insult when you screw up, too.

This is a game where you need a lot of people -- the more talkative the better. It is rowdy and is a mind bender when you try to describe obvious words without the obvious definition. The Baroness liked this game so much that she bought 2 copies at different garage sales!

If you are entertaining a crowd -- use this game. If you are alone with only one opponent -- this isn't a good choice. It's definitely for a party.

Where to buy:

Any local toy store -- Our copy was bought used from a garage sale... but new copies cost about $30.