Anomia

A game for 3-6 players aged 10 and up. Game lasts for about 30 minutes. This one is great for groups, you can easily step in and out of the game so its perfect at the start or end of an evening. This is very similar style to Blurble, but offers a bit more of a challenge being specific in how you respond.

The game comes with two types of cards, one has a symbol and a word on it. The other is a wild card, that will add a bit of a curveball during the game.

The goal of the game is to win the most cards. Cards are won by facing-off with other players. This is one of those games that’s easiest to learn by playing. Split the draw pile by 2 or 3 so it’s easily accessible to all players. The first player draws a card by quickly, without peeking and flips it face-up in front of themselves so it is visible to everyone. Going clockwise, one at a time players flip over a card in the same way. If you pick up your next card and there is no match you place it on top of your first card face up creating your own pile, with only the top card showing. Once a card is flipped over that matches another players symbol, those two players will face off.

To face off you must give an example of what is listed on the other person’s card. Whoever gives a correct answer first wins the card from the other player. Keep that card separate from the active pile since it represents a point. The winners original card stays in play. Once a card is lost, that person needs to pay attention because the next card in their pile is now immediately in play, if it matches with any other cards on the table there will be a new face off. This continues until no cards on the table match. The the game continues with the next player turning over a card.

When a wildcard is drawn, it gets placed face up in the middle of the table. This wildcard will now stay a part of the game until a different wildcard is drawn. The wild card will have 2 symbols, these two symbols are now a new type of match for the game. If two players have one of each symbol they will face-off.

If any face-off results in a tie a new card will be flipped over for the two players, first person to answer wins the other players card from the initial face off and the tie breaker card is shuffled back into the deck.

The winner is the person with the most cards in their win pile.

I’ve never played with 3 people, but if you do, the game recommends removing 2 symbols from the deck.

Overall this always a well received game and being able to play as you learn let’s people jump right in. Giving quick answers is always harder than you think, so although it seems easy there’s always moments your mind will draw a blank or better yet, makes you blurt out something unexpected. As you can see by my copy there’s bit a bit of where and tear this is a pretty easy one to pack when i go away for a weekend.

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