Not for the scatter-brained (Scattergories)

Member Name: valve90210

Product:	Scattergories
Date:	08/08/09 (78 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun, brain teasing, Quick to play

Disadvantages: None

My girlfriend and I often like to play a board game of an evening when there is nothing much but mindless programmes on the television. We have purchased quite a variety of games from various sources, charity shops, boot fairs etc. Amongst our collection there are a few games we play more often than others, one of these most played games is Scattergories.

We both really enjoy this game because it is quick to play, great fun and requires a nice amount of brain useage, not so much that you feel drained afterwards but just enough that you feel you have used it.

The contents of the box are simply a timer, some catergory cards, pencils, pads and a large multisided die with letters on.

The game play is simple, each player takes a pad, a pencil and a category card is decided upon. The timer is set. The dice rolled and the timer started. The players have until the timer stops to think up an answer beginning with the letter showing on the die for each of the headings on the catergory card. When the timer rings, the players reveal their answers for each of the 12 catergories and score points for every unique answer, any that other players also have score nothing.

After two rounds in thiss format, thee final round is slightly different. In this round there is only one category and players have the length of the timer to to come up with as many answers as they can, again, once the time is up again players score a point for each answer they have which no one else has. After the three rounds, the player with the most points is the winner.

Now, this might not sound all that exciting or fun but when you actually play, it really is great. As you try to think of an answer beginning with the correct letter for each category which could be anything from a city to a sandwich filling to a past time to a girls name, you have to try to think of an answer that no one else will think of so you can score points. For some of the categories this might seem easy but when the timer is tick...tick...ticking away you would be really quite surprised how your mind goes blank and you can struggle to come up with even an obvious answer.

This game doesn't take too long to play so you can easily play two or three games in a row without it getting boring. Also, there are enough different category cards that you can play this game over and over again. Even if you use the same category card several times there are so many letters on the die that you are unlikely to have the same letter and hence have to come up with different answers.

If you enjoy games which require you to use your brain and can cope with the stress of the timer ticking away, i would thoroughly recommend this game it is really great fun!!!

Summary: One of my favourite games!!!