Manipulate (2018) Board Game

Manipulate is a board game released in 2018, designed by Laura Payne and published by an unknown publisher. It is a bluffing, card game that involves negotiation and strategic thinking. The game is suitable for 3-6 players, with the best experience being with 4 players. Players must use hand management, take that, and trading mechanisms to outwit their opponents and come out on top.

Game Components of Manipulate

Venture cards: Representing various businesses or ventures that generate income and power.

Favour cards: Allow players to attack opponents, gain immunity, or manipulate the game state.

Skeleton cards: Impose penalties and deductions, often resulting from playing certain Favour cards.

Score tracker board: A simple board used primarily to track players’ progress and scores.

Money tokens: Used to manage players’ finances.

Die: Used only for determining initial turn order and resolving certain Favour card effects.

How To Setup Manipulate

To set up Manipulate, each player starts with three randomly dealt Venture cards, three Favour cards, and one Skeleton card. The score tracker board is placed in the middle, and players determine the starting player using the die. There is no complex board configuration beyond this, as the game is largely card-driven.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Venture Management: Players buy and manage Ventures to earn income and power.
– Ventures have costs and yield different amounts of income and power points.

Favour Cards: Players use Favour cards to attack opponents, gain advantages, or defend themselves.
– Some Favour cards come with risks, such as drawing Skeleton cards.

Deal-making: Players are encouraged to make deals, bluff, and negotiate with each other.

Objective: The goal is to amass the most power by the end of the game, achieved through managing Ventures and effectively using Favour cards.

Player Experience

Manipulate is designed for competitive players who enjoy negotiation, bluffing, and strategic manipulation. The game is relatively light, with a Monopoly-level complexity, but it packs a high ‘take that’ element. Players must balance the risks of using aggressive Favour cards with the benefits of expanding their ventures. The game encourages creative deal-making and role-playing, making it more engaging when players fully immerse themselves in the theme.

Pros

High Interaction: Players are constantly engaging with each other through deals, bluffs, and attacks.

Strategic Depth: Despite its simplicity, the game offers room for strategic planning and risk management.

Thematic Immersion: The game’s theme of building a shady empire and manipulating rivals adds a fun, role-playing element.

Cons

Randomness: The game is heavily dependent on the cards drawn, which can lead to significant variability in player experiences.

Luck of the Draw: Some players may find the randomness frustrating, especially if they draw less favorable cards.

Component Readability: Players may struggle to read the text on the cards when they are fanned in their hand.

Personal Thoughts on Manipulate

Manipulate is ideal for players who enjoy games with a strong social interaction component and don’t mind a bit of randomness. It’s perfect for groups of 3-6 players who are looking for a light yet engaging game that can be played briskly. However, players seeking a game with more predictability and less luck might find Manipulate less appealing. Overall, it’s a great addition to any game collection for those who enjoy negotiation, bluffing, and strategic manipulation.

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