That Escalated Quickly is quite the experience. Players will be asked a question and have to give an answer based on the number card they have received. One player will be guessing the order so your answer really needs to fit in the right spot. When I saw this it reminded me of Wavelength with a little more creativity. It’s an interesting twist on that concept with everyone giving answers on the same question. I think it’s a bit trickier than Wavelength since you will be dealing with everyone’s answers all at once.

Although I love it, since everyone is giving an answer for every card this may not go well with your more introverted friends or people you don’t know well. However, if you have a creative group I think this game is a must. It is such a fun idea and great conversation starter. Also I feel it players better with a higher player count, I’d recommend at least 5 players.

There is another game that came out recently called Ito that is similar. I have not played it but I believe the cards in that game go to 100, in this game they go up to 10. That Escalated Quickly seemed like the more silly fun version so went with it. I think either game would be fine.

For components, there are a decent amount of question cards and they are printed on both sides, plus the answers will always be unique so I feel like there’s a lot of replay ability. You really won’t have the same game twice.

That Escalated Quickly is a 2 to 8 player party game, designed by Ian Clayman, Carol Metz and Aurelien Picolet. It is published by Exploding Kittens. The game is for 2 to 8 players ages 10 and up and plays in about 15 minutes.

Components

150 Question Cards

10 Number Cards

Score Mat

Setup

Place the Score Mat in the middle of the table

Shuffle the Question cards and number cards separately and place on the table. The Question cards have 2 sides, pick one colour to use and place that deck face down.

How to Play

The First player will be the organizer. The organizer will be in charge of the round. Deal everyone including yourself a Number card face down. Everyone will look at their card and keep it a secret. Unused cards will be placed back on the table they will not be used during the round.

Draw a Question Card and read it out loud.

Answer the question in a way you think it matches the number on your card. Go clockwise around the table with everyone giving an answer based on their number card. This is your chance to be creative. Do not say your number and no one can change their answer once given.

Organize the answers from lowest to highest by asking the player you think has the lowest number to slide their card to you face down. Once you have the card flip it over and then ask for the next card.

If you reveal the cards from lowest to highest correctly you all get a point. If you reveal a card out of order, you made a mistake. If you have 6 to 8 players you are allowed one mistake and can continue. If you make more mistakes then you are allowed, you place the question card on the bad card spot on the mat. If you guessed the cards correctly you place it on the good card spot on the mat.

A new round with a new organizer will now begin. The game keeps going until you have 3 cards in the Good Card pile or 3 cards in the Bad Pile. If you had 3 in the Bad Pile everyone loses the game. If you had 3 in the Good Pile everyone wins.

If you have a smaller group there are alternate rules to play with 2 or 3 players. However, I strongly recommend this for a larger party. This is really a game to be experienced, Some of the questions are pretty funny so you are going to get some interesting answers. Highly recommend giving it a try.

If you like That escalated Quickly, try:

Ito

Wavelength

Mean Girls The Party Game