BraveRats

A tiny two-player duel: pick a card from 0 to 7, reveal together and let the special powers twist the result.

Designer: Seiji Kanai
Published by: Kanai Factory
Editions by: Blue Orange Games, 999 Games, Pegasus Spiele, Swan Panasia Co., Ltd., Albi, Lifestyle Boardgames Ltd, PaperGames (III), Fractal Juegos, Feelindigo, Blue Orange (EU), Japon Brand, Neptuno Games, The Bored Game Company, QBIST

BraveRats is a tiny two-player card duel that plays in about fifteen minutes. Both of you hold the same eight cards, numbered 0 to 7, and each card has a special power. Every round you each pick one card, reveal them at the same time, and the higher number wins the round, unless a power changes the result. First to win four rounds takes the game. It sounds like a guessing game, and it is, but the special powers turn every reveal into a small mind game. It was first released under the name R, and it fits in a pocket. A good pick for two people on a bench, a train or a lunch break.

Eight cards numbered 0 to 7Every card has its own powerFirst to win four rounds

Who it's for

You and one other person want a quick head-to-head game that fits in a pocket and is full of mind games.

Not for you if…

You need more than two players or want deep planning. It is short, and it is a read-your-opponent game.

Vibe's take

Quick, bluffy and a bit cruel. Every reveal is a read on your opponent, and a single clever power can flip a round you thought you had won.