PARTY WITH PRECAUTIONS

GET BOARD, NOT BORED IT’S BOARD GAME SEASON

BY JEFFREY JAMES KEYES

AS THE WEATHER CONTINUES TO FORCE US BACK INDOORS THERE IS AN INCREASED NEED FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUN AND RECREATION. There has never been a better time to pick up a few board games, so you have them on hand to create a bit of extra fun whenever you need it. Stock up so you have plenty of activities and games to play with your immediate family, roommates, or that cluster of friends you have been social distancing with. This fall we took a closer look into the collections of Hasbro and Ravensburger, two of the top board game manufacturers in the world. Hasbro owns an extensive classic board game portfolio through its ownership of brands like Parker Brothers, Milton Bradley, Avon Hill, and Wizards of the West Coast. Ravensburger, one of the leading manufacturers of puzzles, books, and board games such as the ever-popular Labyrinth brand.

CRINGEWORTHY

Players: 3+ $24.99

When has it ever been okay to aim to be awkward and uncomfortable? In 2020, of course. Cringeworthy puts you and your friends in horrible, hilarious, NSFW situations. In each round, the Cringemaster reads a Situation card that sets up an open-ended scenario. Each player then chooses a Cringe card to play and reads it out loud to the group. Yes, you must read it yourself. Got an “[Insert Name]” Cringe card? Say the name of any player other than the Cringemaster to crank up the awkwardness. Whoever makes the Cringemaster feel the most uncomfortable wins the round. This game is for adults only, seriously. Tell the neighbors to leave their kids at home or wait to put any little ones to sleep before pulling the bright yellow box out. HASBRO

SWEET EXISTENCE A STRANGE PLANET CARD GAME

Players: 4-8 $19.99

Hot off the presses, this new game brings the creativity of Nathan W. Pyle’s Strange Planet webcomic and books to life. Laugh and marvel at the absurd complexities of life with this strategic party card game inspired by his universally relatable beings and their unique perspective on the world. Forming connections through this game, while experiencing life events, and developing strategies to add more ‘Sweet Disks’ to your stash -- all while avoiding the dreaded Perish card. HASBRO

DISNEY VILLAINOUS: PERFECTLY WRETCHED Players: 2-3 $24.99 Disney Villainous won the 2018 Toy of the Year Award. Previous versions included notorious villains like Maleficent, Ursula, and Jafar. The new version, Disney Villainous: Perfectly Wretched welcomes Cruella de Vil, Mother Gothel, and Pete to the board in a new expand-alone expansion. In Disney Villainous, players race to complete their own devious objective, while dealing twists of fate to their opponents. Who will prove most villainous? Play and see. Each game includes 3 boards, 3 villain movers, 90 villain cards, 45 fate cards, 58 tokens, 3 reference cards, 3 villain guides, and instructions. RAVENSBURGER

JENGA BRIDGE

Players: 1+ $14.99

You have played Jenga, but have you explored Jenga Bridge yet? Like the original, Jenga Bridge players remove blocks from the Jenga tower one block at a time and then place it on top. With this new edition of the game, things get even more intense as the tower is placed on a wooden bridge that sways. Get ready for plenty of tension with this one. Each game includes 42 hardwood blocks, so be sure to move your smartphones, cocktails, and anything you do not want knocked over when everything comes crashing down. HASBROHASBRO

3D LABYRINTH

Players: 2-4 $34.99

Labyrinth, the international classic, is quickly approaching its 35th anniversary. To celebrate the game, available in 26 languages in over 60 countries, Ravensburger is launching 3D Labyrinth, a new dimension for enthusiasts. Players are now able to move up and down as they climb towers and deep dive into castle dungeons in pursuit of treasure. Whoever collects their treasure first wins. Each game includes 1 game board, 17 towers, 4 wizard playing pieces, 4 Rune Cards, 12 treasure cards, and 24 magic cards. RAVENSBURGER

MONOPOLY LONGEST GAME EVER

Players: 2-4 $19.99

Admit it, you have time for a long game. Really long. Fasten your seatbelts for Monopoly Longest Game Ever. We are talking tortoise and hare tokens, multiple properties, and all kinds of different features including: no auctions, cash for Free Parking, and the opportunity to rip bills in half (you heard that right). Each game includes 4 tokens, 22 Title Deed cards, 16 Chance cards, 16 Community Chest cards, 32 houses, 12 hotels, 1 die, a money pack, and instructions. Put on a pot of coffee, it is going to be an epic night.

HASBRO

DISNEY HOCUS POCUS: THE GAME

Players: 2-6 $19.99

What are you doing on Halloween? Why not light a black candle and pull out a little Hocus Pocus for your nearest and dearest to enjoy. Work as a team to your nearest and dearest to enjoy. Work as a team to stop the Sanderson sisters before they drain the lives stop the Sanderson sisters before they drain the lives of Salem’s children. You have until sunrise to ruin of Salem’s children. You have until sunrise to ruin their potion in this whimsical fantasy art style board their potion in this whimsical fantasy art style board game. Use tricks like the Burning Rain of Death and game. Use tricks like the Burning Rain of Death and Billy Butcherson might emerge to lend a helping Billy Butcherson might emerge to lend a helping hand. This new title from Ravensburger was just re hand. This new title from Ravensburger was just re leased in August of 2020. Each game includes a cool leased in August of 2020. Each game includes a cool cauldron board, 50 ingredient cards, a witch board, cauldron board, 50 ingredient cards, a witch board, 13 spell cards, sun token, stun token, 4 trick tokens, 13 spell cards, sun token, stun token, 4 trick tokens, a Binx mover, and rule book. Bubble, bubble, are you a Binx mover, and rule book. Bubble, bubble, are you in trouble? in trouble? RAVENSBURGER RAVENSBURGER

MONOPOLY HOUSE DIVIDED BOARD GAME

Players: 2-6 $19.99

While you might be tired of hearing about the actual 2020 election, the Monopoly House Divided board game is a fun way to celebrate the ups and downs of an election campaign. Players can buy states, earn votes, and collect rent. Go ahead and set up your campaign headquarters, earn votes, steal states, and send your opponent to the big house. If you make it to the White House (by obtaining the token) you will be able to double the rent you charge and add more votes at the end of the game. Each game includes a game board, 6 candidate cards, 6 candidate tokens, 22 state cards, 16 Executive Power cards, I Voted cards (adorable, right?), 36 cardboard voting chips, 40 plastic Campaign Headquarters, 1 plastic White House, 2 dice, a money pack, and game guide. Once all states are claimed the candidate with the most votes wins. May the best (wo)man win! HASBRO CLUE - LIARS EDITION

Players: 2-6 $19.99

Hasbro has turned things up a notch this fall with the introduction of Clue - Liars Edition board game, where players use investigation cards to help figure out who killed Mr. Body in the mansion. Pick a card and read it out loud, trying to play it cool and convince other players they are telling the truth. If a player suspects they are lying they hit the “Liar Button”, which is satisfying unto itself. Move closer to cracking the case with each evidence card. When you are ready to make a formal accusation look at the case file envelope for the big reveal. Was it Mr. Green with the lead pipe in the Billiard Room? Mrs. Peacock with the revolver in the Conservatory? Time will tell. Make a night of it and watch the cult classic film before, after, or during your game. Who knows, it might inspire your victory! HASBRO

THE PRINCESS BRIDE

Players: 1-4 $24.99

“My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!” Channel your inner Buttercup as you race through the Cliffs of Insanity and navigate the Fire Swamp to survive the dastardly machinations of Prince Humperdinck, Count Rugen, and Vizzini in The Princess Bride Adventure Book! Now is your chance to indulge in the six chapters of the popular film. Will there be eels? Yes. And interruptions. Now, the only thing missing is Fred Savage...unless you are quarantining with him, then we are coming over. Each game includes 1 adventure book game board, 1 replay counter, 5 challenge completed tokens, 5 miracle counters, 4 player reference cards, 40 story cards, 30 special cards, 20 plot cards, 7 character miniatures, a rulebook, and more. The Princess Bride Adventure Book Game is scheduled to come out October 4. Want to be the first on your block to play the game? “Inconceivable!” RAVENSBURGERRAVENSBURGER THE QUEST FOR EL DORADO

Players: 2-4 $34.99

Do you dare to search for the golden city? Build your expedition and venture through the jungles of South America through this fun deck-building board game. Be sure to get your plan in order, assemble the right team, and anticipate any equipment you might need. Each player starts with the same combination of cards, use these to move through your expedition and get newer and better cards. Each game includes 7 terrain tiles, 2 terrain strips, 1 ending tile, 6 blockades, 8 playing pieces, 4 expedition boards, 1 starting player hat, 1 market board, 86 expedition cards, 36 cave tokens, and instructions. With 100,000 possible layouts and a deck-building strategy component, El Dorado can be played over and over for hours of fun. Who is going to cross the golden border first? Roll up your sleeves and get ready for a race and a true competition. RAVENSBURGER