Game: Danger: The Game
Designer: Phillip Blackwell
Published: Origami Whale
Players: 3+
Playtime: 30-60 Minutes
Play Type: Story Telling, Party Game
Synopsis:
There are dangers around every corner. Your job is to help save victims of the countless dangers in the world. The only catch is your limited tool supply and skills.
Game Play:
Danger: The Game is a game with a very simple ruleset and easy to teach format. Similar to many games on the market, Danger: The Game has a call and response type format to it. One player will draw a card that requires the other players in the game to play cards in response. In the case of Danger: The Game, the victim will draw a Danger Card that will outline the tragedy they are about to face. The other player’s job is to rescue the victim from danger by using a Tool Card and a skill card from their hand. Once all players have selected these cards, they will take turns explaining how they will use the tool and skill to save the victim. The other players will listen to each story and have the opportunity to poke holes into the plans created by others. After each rescuer has explained their plan, the victim decides which rescue plan was the best and awards that player the card. This will continue until one player has collected three Danger Cards. That player is the winner.
In addition to the base rules, Danger: The Game also adds two additional variants on the base game play. First is Plot Twist Cards, which allow rescuers to place a card in response to the Danger Card that is played or that will attach to either a Skill Card or Tool Card. This provides a new challenge to the rescuers who must work around the Plot Twist Card when formulating their plan. The second variation is the Dastardly Variant which changes the passive victim role into that of a villain. In this variant rescuers will first play the Skill Card their hero would have, and then the villain will respond by playing a danger card from their hand that would challenge those heroes. After seeing the Danger Card players would choose a tool and explain how they would defeat the villain. The villain will decide who best thwarted their plan.
Components:
Danger: The Game is made up of 270 cards in the four different types of cards. Each of the cards is a different bright color with a symbol associated with it. This means the game is still colorblind accessible. Additionally the cards are high quality, with a gloss finish. There is limited artwork beyond small doodles on the bottom of the Danger Cards. The font is clear and easy to read on the cards.
Overview:
Positives:
- High Player Count
- Easy to Teach to Non-Gamers
- Family Friendly
- Small Box
- Engaging Storytelling
- Could Be Used in the Classroom
Negatives:
- Limited Complexity
- Some Cards Don’t Fit with Situations
- Best with Creative People
Danger: The Game is something that could appeal to a wide variety of audiences, and works well with both gamers and non-gamers alike. While it has some mechanics similar to games like Cards Against Humanity and Joking Hazard, I really liked that Danger: The Game was not vulgar just for the sake of being vulgar. Instead, the larger mechanic in play is the storytelling aspect of game play. Players who enjoy games like Once Upon a Time will likely enjoy the modern storytelling and heroics that Danger: The Game allows.
As an educator, I could see myself using this game as a fun way to bring problem solving into the classroom. Providing students with a problem and giving them limited tools to fix the problem is a great way to engage them as a short brain break. I could see students really connecting with being the superhero in this game and getting their minds thinking. Even better though is that not all of the victim cards deal with violent scenarios, making it easy to scale to any environment. That being said, I would also state that Danger: The Game is family friendly, and could be played with children.
While the game is very engaging, it can be frustrating as well. Sometimes it can be very difficult to get some of the Tool Cards and Skill Cards to line up with the Danger being presented. A lot of times it can be a stretch to make something make sense, and for those who are not looking outside the box it may even be impossible. For players who are not overly creative or do not enjoy story telling, this game may not be for them. The game can be hit or miss depending on the group playing and their ability to make unusual circumstances work. However when playing with the right group of people, this game can be a good laugh and a great way to spend time with others.
The simple rule set and focus on player lead storytelling may not be for everyone. I would suggest this game for those looking for a quick humorous filler, or for those who enjoy the storytelling aspect of games but wish there was more available in a modern setting. If you are a player that is not fond of light games, or games that rely heavily on group dynamics this might not be the game for you. While no game is for everyone, Danger: The Game will be very appealing to those who enjoy party games with high player interaction. The more players buy into the game, the better this game gets, so it is important to play with a group that is not afraid to poke holes into each other’s plans. Beyond the high interaction though, Danger: The Game provides family friendly fun that encourages creativity and problem solving. The premise is unique and will draw players in, and redesigned the card judging mechanic in a way that is engaging and requires more skill than the average party game.
The Meeple Street 