The Game: Extreme

Same team card game as The Game, but 28 rule-changing instructions on the cards make each win harder to earn.

Designers: Reinhard Staupe, Steffen Benndorf
Published by: Nürnberger-Spielkarten-Verlag
Editions by: Arclight Games, White Goblin Games, DV Games, Game Factory, Oya

The Game: Extreme keeps the nerve-wracking premise of The Game: you all work together to get rid of every card in the deck by playing them onto four shared piles, and you are not allowed to say exactly what is in your hand. The Extreme version adds 28 instructions printed on the cards themselves. While such a card is in play, it bends the rules, forcing you to play differently and making the whole task harder. Each added rule is a new little crisis you have to talk your way around. For one to five players, about half an hour, and a good pick if the original has started to feel too easy.

Cooperative: win or lose together28 instruction cards that change the rulesFour shared piles and a deck to empty

Who it's for

You already know The Game and want a harder version, or you like cooperative card puzzles for one to five.

Not for you if…

You want to chat freely about your hand, or you are new to cooperative card puzzles. The talking limits are part of the challenge.

Vibe's take

Tense and talkative, with a lot of quiet mental math. The instruction cards turn every pile into a small trap, and the table groans together.