Trio (2021) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Trio is a card game designed by Kaya Miyano and published by Cocktail Games in in 2021. It is a fun and engaging game that is suitable for players aged 6 and above. The game revolves around animals and features mechanics such as matching, memory, questions and answers, and set collection.

Game Components of Trio

36 cards, each numbered 1-12 three times

Cards feature large, centrally placed numbers and colorful, papel picado-inspired artwork

Special gold foil on the “7” cards

Rulebook

How To Setup Trio

To set up Trio, shuffle the deck of 36 cards and deal them out to players based on the number of players. For 3-6 players, each player receives a portion of the cards, with some remaining cards placed face-down in the center of the table. In team play with 4 or 6 players, all cards are dealt out with none left in the center. Players arrange their cards in ascending order from lowest to highest.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Memory

Deduction

Set Collection

Player Interaction

Game Objective

The goal is to find three sets of three matching numbered cards.

Alternatively, winning can be achieved by collecting the trio of the shiny gold “7” cards.

In the “spicy” variant, players must collect two “connected” trios, where the sum or difference between the numbers is 7.

Gameplay

On your turn, you can reveal the lowest or highest card from any player’s hand (including your own) or flip a face-down card from the middle of the table. You continue revealing cards until you either complete a trio or reveal a card that doesn’t match the previous ones. If the cards match, you take the set; otherwise, your turn ends and the cards are returned to their original positions.

Player Experience

Trio is praised for its simplicity and engaging gameplay. It is a game that balances memory and strategy, making it fun for players of various ages and skill levels. The game scales well for different player counts, and the team variant adds an extra layer of strategy with a card swap mechanism. Players often find themselves playing multiple rounds back-to-back due to the game’s quick and enjoyable nature.

Pros

Easy to Teach and Play: Simple rules make it accessible to everyone.

Fast Gameplay: Games last about 15 minutes.

Beautiful Artwork: Colorful, papel picado-inspired design.

Portable: Compact deck of 36 cards.

Multiple Play Modes: Standard, “spicy” variant, and team play.

Cons

Embossed Cards: The gold foil on the “7” cards can give away their identity during dealing.

Memory Requirement: Players with poor memory might find it challenging.

Table Space: Bright cards require a large enough table to avoid glancing at opponents’ hands.

Personal Thoughts on Trio

Trio is an excellent fit for families, casual friend groups, and anyone looking for a quick, fun filler game. It’s not suited for hardcore Eurogamers seeking complex strategies, but it’s perfect for those who enjoy light-hearted, social gaming experiences. The game’s simplicity, coupled with its engaging mechanics, makes it a great addition to any game collection. If you’re looking for a game that’s fast, easy, and fun, Trio is an excellent choice.

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