Check out this game if: You like 2 player games that are quick with some strategy (and maybe a little madness).
This game stands out because: it’s a 2 player drafting game. It’s easy to see what cards your opponent wants, and you can take them away from him/her, but that means you don’t get the card you want.
Positive:
1. Good amount of player interaction.
2. Quick game (especially if you’ve both played once).
3. This game has good strategic decisions.
4. Very portable (especially if you take it out of the box).
5. Nice big cards with large font and nice artwork (it just feels good).
Negative:
1. Replayability is okay.
2. Only 2 player.
Brief Overview:
In this game, you are trying to acquire the most points in 3 rounds. In order to gain points, you must pick and play cards. Each player gets 5 cards and must choose 1 to play and pass the remaining to their opponent (the opponent will pass their cards too, this is called drafting). Once again, players choose 1 card to play from their hand and pass the remaining. This continues till all the cards are played and points are totaled.
This is done 3 times (3 rounds) and the player at the end who has the most accumulative points wins.
Versions: There is another version of this game called Tides of Madness. The game is similar but adds the element of madness.
Teaching Advice: I’ve found that teaching this (and any other drafting game) is best done by explaining the drafting mechanic first. Once the player understands the pick one and pass concept, you can go through the rest of the rules easily.
| Number of Players | 2 |
| Age | 8+ |
| Time | 15-20 mins |
| Friendly | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Teachable | ★★★☆☆ |
| Replayability | ★★★★☆ |
| Creative Freedom | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Inclusive (no elimination) | ★★★☆☆ |
| Interaction | ★★★☆☆ |
Link to tutorial video on YouTube.
Link to Tides of Time on Amazon
I like the sound of the madness element for the other version you mention (Ok, I also really like the name “Tides of Madness”). Are you familiar with how it works?
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In Tides of Madness, some cards are extra powerful but they increase your madness. If you take to many, you loose the game. It’s a good twist, but not necessarily better.
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