SmileyFace (2010) Board Game

SmileyFace is a card game released in 2010 by Arclight Games. It was designed by Gwenaël Bouquin and Bruno Faidutti, with artwork by Antonio Dessi and Ben Prenevost. The game is suitable for 4-8 players, with a recommended age of 8 and up. It falls into the category of card games and features mechanics such as hand management, set collection, and take that.

Game Components of SmileyFace

82 cards featuring various emoticon characters

Round cards for each of the seven rounds

Rank cards to determine color values

Reward tokens

Helping hand tokens

Playing tokens

+1 token

Mischief and emotion cards

How To Setup SmileyFace

To set up SmileyFace, each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding playing token and helping hand token. The round cards are stacked in order from round one to seven. The rank cards are shuffled, placed in a row, and the lowest ranked card is flipped over. The reward tokens are mixed and placed face down. The deck is shuffled, and cards are dealt to players based on the number of players: 7 cards for 4-6 players, 6 cards for 7 players, and 5 cards for 8 players. The first player is chosen using any preferred method.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Duration: Seven rounds

Player Turn: Play an emotion card, play a mischief card, pass, or pass and play a helping hand token

Emotion Cards: Played face up and grouped by color to maximize points

Color Ranking: Changes each round; highest ranked color earns bonus points

Round End: Players count points for their highest valued color; the highest scorer wins the round card

Reward Tokens: Given to players who helped the round winner

Game Objective: Accumulate the most points over seven rounds by winning round cards and collecting reward tokens

Player Experience

Playing SmileyFace involves a mix of strategy and luck. Players must strategically play their emotion cards to maximize points based on the ever-changing color rankings. The addition of mischief cards adds an element of unpredictability, allowing players to disrupt their opponents’ plans or boost their own chances. The game is generally designed to be a light-hearted, family-friendly experience but can drag on due to its seven-round structure.

Pros

Family-Friendly: Suitable for a wide age range

Quirky Characters: Features dozens of quirky and colorful emoticon characters

Interactive: Encourages player interaction and strategy

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players

Cons

Game Length: Can feel prolonged, lasting around 30-45 minutes

Components: Moderately thick cardboard components but nothing special

Repetitive: Seven rounds can make the game feel repetitive

Personal Thoughts on SmileyFace

SmileyFace is ideal for families and casual gamers looking for a light-hearted card game. While it introduces fun and interactive mechanics, the game’s length and repetitive nature might make it less appealing to those seeking more complex or shorter games. It’s a great option for quick, social gaming sessions but may not hold the attention of more experienced gamers.

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