Cue Me! (1989) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Cue Me! is a party game that was released in in 1989. Designed by Frank Thibault, this game is a team-based word game that involves dice rolling and quick thinking. With a runtime of 60 minutes, Cue Me! is best played with 4, 6, or 8 players, making it a great choice for gatherings and game nights.

Game Components of Cue Me!

Gameboard: The central board where players move their pawns.

Message Cards: 400 cards divided into two difficulty levels (Level 1 – green, Level 2 – purple).

Number Die: A six-sided die to determine the category or message.

Letter Dice: Four dice with letters and special symbols like STAR and letter combinations (e.g., J/K).

Pawns: Color-coded pawns for each team.

Board Moves Card: To track movement.

Timer: A two-minute timer to add pressure to the game.

How To Setup Cue Me!

Players start by dividing into teams of two and choosing a color pawn, placing it on the start space. Each team receives a Board Moves card. The gameboard is placed in the middle of the table, and players choose which deck of cards to use (Level 1, Level 2, or a mix). The number die is rolled to determine which team starts the game. The roles of Sender and Receiver are assigned, with these roles swapping every turn.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Team Play: Players are divided into teams of two.

Category Selection: The Sender rolls the number die to determine the category or message.

Clue Giving: The Sender gives a one to four word clue using letters rolled on the letter dice, without repeating any letter or using any part of the secret word.

Guessing: The Receiver has one guess per roll of the letter dice, with only three rolls allowed per turn.

Time Pressure: Each turn lasts two minutes.

Movement: Teams move their pawns based on successful guesses, with bonus spaces and “Free-for-all” rounds adding complexity.

Objective: The first team to achieve a “ONE-ON-ONE” guess (correct guess with one clue word) and reach the Finish space wins the game.

Player Experience

**Cue Me** is a tense and engaging game that requires quick thinking and strategic clue-giving. Players feel a constant sense of pressure due to the time limit and the limited number of guesses. The game is enjoyable for both the clue-giver and the guesser, with moments of high excitement and satisfaction when clever clues lead to successful guesses. The dynamic nature of the game, including “Free-for-all” rounds, keeps players on their toes and interested throughout[5′.

Pros

Unique Mechanics: The use of letter dice to create clues adds a unique twist.

High Replayability: With 400 message cards and two difficulty levels, the game offers a lot of replay value.

Social Interaction: Encourages teamwork and communication between players.

Strategy and Luck: Balances strategy with the element of luck from the dice rolls.

Cons

Time Management: The two-minute timer can sometimes feel too short or too long.

Luck Factor: The game heavily relies on the luck of the dice rolls and card draws.

Basic Components: The game’s artwork and components are standard for its era but not particularly impressive.

Personal Thoughts on Cue Me!

**Cue Me** is ideal for those who enjoy word games, puzzles, and team-based challenges. It’s a great addition to any game collection for players looking for a game that combines strategy, quick thinking, and social interaction. While it may not be perfect, its unique mechanics and high replayability make it a hidden gem among board games. It’s suitable for players aged 12 and above, making it a fun family or group activity.

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