I really like the game Hanabi, which means firework in Japanese.
Mechanics: It is a cooperative game where players need to construct sequences of cards (1-5) in order, for each suit (color), to set off fireworks.
Players each hold fixed number of cards in hands (and if played, will need to draw from the deck). They can’t see their own hands, but they can see all other players’ hands. Each turn, they can do one of the three actions:
- Give a clue. It would cost one token, and you can tell another player about their hand, either ALL of the cards that match one color or ALL of the cards that match one number.
- Discard a card. It earns a token back. However, there are limited cards. For example, if there is white 1 and 2 but all white 3s were discarded, then no further construction can be made on the white sequence.
- Play a card. It needs to be the next highest number of the color pile you put on. If it’s wrong, you lose the card.
Dynamics: players need to pay attention to fully public information (e.g. discard pile, current construction, token number), and also partially shared information (e.g. A and B can both see C’s hand), remember their own hands and hints given, and make logic deductions. Also it’s about trying to give the best hint or understand the hint, with trying to figure out what others are thinking.
Aesthetics: the first fun is Fellowship. It is nice to connect with group members, gradually build some shared intuition, and work towards the same goal. Officially the game does not allow making faces or any gestures. However it’s super fun to see other’s reactions. It also brings the fun of Challenge. It’s hard to gain high points, but when things flow beautifully well you feel really satisfying and sense of accomplishment.
