In case I haven't mentioned it before, I am NOT a fan of bored games.
Not not not.
However, last week Mike suddenly produced a game he felt sure I would love. I told him that if there were game pieces or rules to be read, I wouldn't; he could trust me on that. But he persisted, so I gave in. Besides, he looks so sad when he plays games by himself. I sometimes see him looking around to see if anyone is watching, and when he thinks there isn't, he'll get up from his seat and move to the seat across the table and pretend to be a friendly opponent who just dropped in to enjoy a rousing game of Boardom.
I'm totally kidding. He usually just sets up the game and waits for anyone at all to show up.
Anyway, I gave in to his persuasion, and was introduced to a game I actually liked. It's called Dixit. The game includes the most interesting cards I've ever seen, each one a fragment of different works of art looking like they came from a beautifully-illustrated children's book. Each player gets a hand of cards, and on their turn they choose one of their cards (without showing which one they chose) and describe it to the other players by saying a word, sentence, singing a song, or miming.
After the players consider the clue you've given, they choose a card from their hand that most matches the clue you just gave. The trick is to give a clue that is mysterious to some, yet easily guessed by others. It's an interesting balancing act if you want your little rabbit game piece to move ahead.
Here's a card I played. My hint to Mike and Sophie was this: "I didn't know death would be like this." (I thought the man with the walking stick looked like he had a choice as to whether he wanted to take the stairway up or down, so that's the clue I gave.)
When all the cards were revealed and the play was over, here was the card Sophie played. Remember, my clue was "I didn't know death would be like this."
R O T F L O L.
Brilliant.
At long last, I have a game I could recommend to families. However, much to my husband's chagrin, I am not a converted gamer. As far as his finding friendly opponents, he'll have to continue being his own worst enemy.
14 Comments
Danielle
LOVED this post. This game looks AWESOME! I love the little bunny pieces and the artwork. I laughed out loud for a few minutes when you showed the card Sophie played. She was definitely thinking of your hatred of board games!!!! Me, I love board games, but my significant other does not. I am going to look this game up now. I have never heard of it.
Sherre
Oh my goodness, this is one of the funniest stories I’ve read in a while! Absolutely hilarious! Thank you for sharing it with us, Paulette!
Margaret
Sophie has quite the sense of humor! lol! Love it! Looks like a fun game. Does Apples to Apples count as a Bored game? It’s fun if you haven’t heard of it. Doesn’t involve a board though.
Catherine
Love the artwork and it actually sounds like it can be a lot of fun! I just wonder if I would be quick enough to think of good things!
beritbunny
Okay. Though I spent my the entirety of my childhood alone playing games with myself (read: devotedly fondling/arranging the game pieces and board) much like Mike, I eventually discovered video games and now stitching. Those two being infinitely more entertaining solo passtimes–and I outgrew the desire for the Bored Games.
But this one? Rabbit Game Pieces? Strong Art-elements? :3
Tanya
Never heard of it ~ looks great!! I love art of it.
Hope Sophie is feeling better 🙂
Tanya
Linda
The game looks like fun! I’m not a “bored” game fan either! Used to have to force myself to play Candyland with my kids! lol
Wanted to say congrats on the Just Cross Stitch article! I just received my copy today in the mail and enjoyed reading about Plum Street Samplers very much! Mike and the girls should be very proud of Mom!
Happy holidays to all!
Linda in CO
Cathryn
Love to read your posts Paulette. This is an interesting game. I’ve never heard of it before. I too, read the JCS article with great interest. I loved it! Congratulations. Cathryn
Claulem
How clever Sophie is and what a sense of humour!
CAY
I was so thinking of Apples to Apples as I read this! And this game looks like great fun! I know all the women in my family would play it, but my step and husband still won’t. They’re the type who sit out and then yell the answers. Grrr. (You know that Electra complex? Yea… I didn’t kill my mom, but I definitely married (a younger version of) my dad!) Sophie is brilliant, by the way, hehe. So glad you enjoyed the game, I’ll have to look into getting it (are you getting commission from the company, recommending it like this? You should!) Happy holidays!
Leslie
Paulette – I am so glad there is another person out there that doesn’t like board games. I dread it when the kids come to me and ask me to play. I loved the card that sophie played. Touche’.
Florence
We have the same game hère in France.
And we like play with it !
Natasha
This looks like a great game. My husband has a sister who is 13 and she would LOVE this game her parents love to play board games as do I. My husband will NOT play any games with me :(*sad poutting face* LOL
So whenever I go back home to visit I amke sure I get lots of board games in.
Thanks for sharing the game
Anne
This is bizarre! I am a stitcher who has looked at your blog for a long time. I am also a newish fan of board games. Imagine my surprise when I read your husband’s review of Dixit on boardgamegeek.com only to be redirected back to your blog. Right now our kids are too young to play this one with us (under 3 years old) so I guess we will have to wait for a few years to try it. I loved seeing your photos and hearing your thoughts about it! Maybe I can find some more stitcher-gamers locally. 🙂