Mayday (2007) – Board Game Guys

Mayday

Mayday is a 1978 board wargame published by Game Designers’ Workshop. It was part of a series called “Series 120,” which consisted of games with 120 pieces designed to be learned and played in 120 minutes. Mayday focused on battles involving small spaceships and was designed to be played with the Traveller board game. The game won the 1978 Origins Award for Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Wargame.

Why is Mayday Popular?

Mayday is significant because it is a classic board wargame that has stood the test of time. It has a strong following among fans of the Traveller board game and has been republished in recent years as part of Far Future Enterprises’ Traveller: The Classic Games.

Game Components of Mayday

Loyalty cards (heart symbols: normal and cracked)

Skirmish cards

Benefit of the doubt cards

Reliable cards

Cockpit access cards

Knowledge markers

Veteran cards (for additional roles after multiple plays)

How To Setup Mayday

To set up Mayday, each player is given a set of loyalty cards, which include one normal heart, one cracked heart, and a third card that determines if the player is honest or a possible infiltrator. The players close their eyes, and the infiltrators (bad guys) open their eyes to see each other before closing them again. The skirmish card is randomly assigned among the players. The game is set up with each player knowing their own loyalty but not that of their neighbors.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Social Deduction: Players must figure out who is honest and who is an infiltrator.

Bluffing: Bad players can lie about what they see, while good players must tell the truth.

Voting Mechanism: Players vote to trust or distrust other players based on the information they gather.

Phases: The game consists of three phases where players validate each other’s claims, vote on trustworthiness, and eventually decide who gets cockpit access.

Objective: The good players must ensure all honest players gain cockpit access before any infiltrators do. If an infiltrator gains cockpit access, the bad guys win.

Player Experience

Mayday offers a dynamic and suspenseful experience, especially with larger player counts. Players engage in intense discussions and strategic voting, trying to uncover the infiltrators without mistakenly trusting them. The game’s phases build up the tension as players validate each other’s claims and vote on trustworthiness.

Pros

Interactive and Social: Encourages player interaction and deduction.

High Replayability: Different player counts and roles ensure varied gameplay experiences.

Simple to Learn: Easy to understand the basic mechanics, but challenging to master.

Veteran Roles: Additional roles after multiple plays add more complexity and strategy.

Cons

Confusion: The multiple phases and card validations can be confusing for new players.

Length: While the box says 25 minutes, games can often be longer due to intense discussions.

Player Count Dependency: The game is best with 5-8 players; fewer players can make the game less engaging.

Personal Thoughts on Mayday

Mayday is perfect for those who enjoy social deduction games like Werewolf or Deception. It’s ideal for larger groups looking for a game that combines strategy, bluffing, and teamwork. However, it may not be the best fit for smaller groups or players who prefer more straightforward gameplay mechanics. Overall, Mayday is a great addition to any board game collection for those who enjoy complex social interactions and strategic gameplay.

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