Rorschach

Bucephalus Games

$19.99 MSRP

For three to eight players

Playing time: 20 to 40 minutes

UPC: 8-95713-00208-9

Age rating: “all ages;” presumably eight and up

Overall rating: 4 Stars out of 5

At first glance, one wouldn’t expect a game utilizing psychological assessment tools to be entertaining, but if we’re talking about Bucephalus Games’ Rorschach, you’d be mistaken. Rorschach is a party game for three to eight players in which each must not only answer the questions, but guess how the other players will answer as well.

Play begins by laying out ink blot cards; one card fewer than the total number of players. Players also select an eight-sided die for voting on their choice, and a stack of chips that match the color of their d8. Players then draw question cards one at a time, and choose which ink blot best answers questions such as “Which one looks most elegant?” or “Which one makes you smile?” The object of the game is to be the first player to collect one chip of each color; when players match one or more player’s choice, they get a chip from each of the matching players. If a player is the only one to choose that blot as the answer, that player gets one of her own chips.

Better with a larger group, Rorschach is a little unsatisfying with only three players. Because of the fast nature of play, this is an ideal party game, allowing people to play for a while then drop out to get a snack or talk with someone. The instructions are simple and feature diagrams to clarify the example of play. The oversized cards are sturdy and of decent quality, and the ink blot cards are double-sided to provide nearly endless variety. Rorschach is a quick and slightly addictive game, and is likely to be a favorite of get-togethers for many years to come.

-Bill Bodden