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Selah Fairport
United States
Allen
Texas
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Game: Oh, Really!
Overview:
"Oh, Really!: The Lively Game of What Matters Most" is a perfect title for this party game. Five cards are drawn, and then players attempt to rank order them from most to least important. Depending on the variation you select, you can play in partners (did I predict their answers), free for all (can I pick who most matched my answers), or follow the leader (everyone tries to match one person's rank order). Ranking is done by setting out tiles with symbols (&, #, !, *, +) which match a card slot on the board. Your tiles are placed in order of most important on the left moving to least important on the right. Then you reveal your ranks and score points for your matched answers.
The Good:
Up to 8 individuals or teams can play. The words you have to rank run a wide variety from "deodorant" to "optimism". My first play the cards seemed too easy to rank, how do you even begin to argue that "religious freedom" are less important than "toothbrush." I split the cards up, almost in exactly half, of light/concrete words versus more heavy/complex ideas. We then played the game with six people (no more than two players already knew each other). We started with the lighter words for one full lap around the table and then did another lap with the heavier words. It was a great ice breaker, started some conversations when "Oh, really!? You ranked hair more important than paramedics!?" situations arose, and the cards being split up helped make the game get more difficult the more we played (nice ramp-up effect).
This game could also be great for families and other groups who want a closer bond if they take time to discuss and understand why people voted a certain way, instead of rapidly playing with little time to share and reflect.
The Bad:
I really do wish the words had been separated into two decks of different face or font color so you could have the ability to sort or shuffle as best meets the needs of your group and ages playing. I will probably end up putting a small dot on the back corner of cards to be able to sort out light versus heavy topics in case deck gets shuffled again.
The Verdict: Purchase
The players in the group felt that this game was on par with Apples to Apples and Dixit. It was preferred over these two because the words are easy to understand (no famous names or places to content with). Some felt that this created better communication opportunities, especially with strangers. There is also little risk that someone will be embarrassed that they don't know something (Apples) or aren't creative enough (Dixit). With 200 cards, there is quite a bit of replay available.
Some examples of "light" terms: cops, teeth, hotels, paper, spoons, video games, parties, shoes, breakfast, underwear.
Some examples of "heavier" terms: the Bible, self esteem, sense of humor, respect, pleasure, space exploration, peace, truth, sight, conformity.
Again, this is a sort I did on the fly, the game cards are not sorted for you.
Disclaimer:
I was provided a copy of this game to review. I have no other connection to the game, the publisher, nor the creator.
Professional Note:
As a mental health counselor I do see the potential to use this game in counseling sessions or group environments with the included cards and even specific homemade cards. There were times in ranking items that I had to question, and even change my own ranking, so this game does make you think. There is something powerful in asking people to rank words like "self esteem, intimacy, wealth, fame, conformity" or to ask couples to see how they compare with words like "financial stability, spontaneity, children, religious beliefs, career growth" in a concrete and tangible way rather than just talking about these ideas.
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