Greg H.
United States
Ohio
...is a set of steak knives. Third place is you're fired.
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I’m always looking for a good filler. I value fillers for their short play time, ability to game with gamers and non-gamers alike, and combination of simple rules but fun or tense choices. That’s not an easy thing to design! But after a couple of plays I’m very intrigued by Swat! And think that this game has some real staying power.
The Brief Game Summary
Swat! consists of nothing more than a deck of cards of differing point values. One person is the dealer, and the dealer flips over one card after another, at whatever pace he or she chooses. Then, when another player wants the cards on the table, they "swat" the table, take the cards, and become the dealer. When the deck runs out, players score their cards to determine the winner.
What makes this game tense is that each player is limited to three "swats". On top of that, the cards vary according to their value. Some cards are worth the simple value printed on them; others must be collected as a pair; others have negative values; still others score 7 points for whoever has the most, and -7 for whoever has the least; others (the bug zapper cards) score exponentially higher the more you collect. The diversity of scoring options is very similar to the tiles in Ra. However, the mechanic for collecting those tiles/cards is much, much simpler in Swat!
The Components
The game is nothing more than a deck of cards, but the cards are of the quality linen construction. The graphics are "cutsey" and inoffensive. There's also a "swat pad" that comes with the game, but it folds to fit into the case and consequently sits awkwardly on the table--it may or may not be necessary. The metal tin container that holds the cards is sturdy and pretty cool. All in all, quality components for a card deck filler.
The Rulebook
The rulebook is straightforward and well-written. This is a simple game, so the rulebook is less critical than those for heavier games.
The Teachability Factor
This is where Swat! shines. The game can be explained in about a minute or two. Nongamers can get into this game very easily. Although it's beyond my knowledge and experience, I can also see this as a game for adults and older children as well. Pretty much anyone can slap the table to get their cards!
The Gameplay Experience
After a couple of plays, I find that Swat! is pleasantly tense. A player's choice is incredibly simple: swat the table or hold out for more. That's it. But the tension comes in trying to time the key moment--long enough to get a good haul with your swat, but not so long that others beat you to the punch. Plus, as I played, I found myself watching that deck whittle down surprisingly quickly, and this creates a ticking clock of sorts. Some players get their three swats in rather quickly, while others are trying to hold out and time the progression of the deck. It's simple and fun.
The Profile for Enjoyment
It's a bit early, but I'm very optimistic that this filler game has some real staying power... and that's saying something. I've seen where some fillers tend to wear out their welcome. No Thanks! comes to mind, as I originally fell in love with the game but grew tired of it as familiarity left me feeling like I was playing on autopilot. Where Swat! differs is that I've not yet learned the composition of the deck and the relative rarity of card. Plus, in this game, players can be unpredictable, with the "cards per swat" changing and consequently changing how you value each flip. Throw on top of that the ability to start to memorize what people are collecting and focusing on, and there's some layers of depth to this seemingly simple game.
At the end of the day, it's a filler. But it's one that I feel is very strong, on par with For Sale, Incan Gold, and Fairy Tale as one of my favorites. And within that group, it potentially has the broadest audience and certainly the simplest rules. I can't draft cards in Fairy Tale with my in-laws, but I can certainly smack the table with them and haul in some cards.
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**PUNKLE JOSH** [Here to have fun!]
Canada
Cambridge
Ontario
"The next best thing to playing and winning is playing and losing." --A. Alvarez
“My opinion is that a game has its own life when published, and is really alive when players want to add their own house rules!” --Bruno Cathala
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Wait, this isn't about a SWAT team?
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