Swinging Jivecat Voodoo Lounge (2016) Board Game

Swinging Jivecat Voodoo Lounge is a board game released in 2016, designed by Sergi Marcet and published by Daily Magic Games. It falls under the mature/adult category and features gameplay mechanics such as area majority/influence, hand management, network and route building, and pattern building. With a runtime of 60 minutes and recommended for players aged 21 and above, this game offers a unique blend of strategy and social interaction.

Game Components of Swinging Jivecat Voodoo Lounge

94 Cards
– 54 Clique Cards
– 24 Trend Cards
– 16 Skull Cards

75 Clique Chips (15 each of red, green, blue, yellow, and pink)

40 Cocktail Monkeys (20 orange, 20 blue)

25 Skull Tokens

5 Cocktail Glasses

5 Coaster Player Aides

1 Game Board

1 Rule Book

How To Setup Swinging Jivecat Voodoo Lounge

To set up the game, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player selects a set of colored chips and a cocktail glass. The deck of Clique cards is shuffled and dealt to the players. Trend cards and Skull cards are placed within reach of all players. Each player begins with three Skull Tokens. The game board features four different lounges (Cocoa, Tiki, Neptune, and Lava), each containing numbered contacts.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Control: Players expand their clique by placing chips on the board to influence lounge lizards.

Hand Management: Use Clique cards to add lounge lizards to your clique or cast spells.

Network Building: Link lounge-goers into social cliques to gain access to cooler party contacts.

Pattern Building: Tailor your clique in certain patterns to set trends and score monkey points.

Objective: Earn magical monkey points by befriending jivecats and setting trends. The player with the most monkeys at the end is crowned the King of the Swinging Jivecat Voodoo Lounge.

Player Experience

Swinging Jivecat Voodoo Lounge offers a unique blend of social intrigue and mystical powers set in the vibrant atmosphere of 1950s cocktail culture. Players must strategically use their cards to build and manipulate their social cliques, while also keeping an eye on their opponents’ moves. The game requires tactical decision-making and timing to maximize scoring opportunities. Despite its complex mechanics, the game becomes addictive after a few rounds, making it appealing for multiple plays in a single session.

Pros

Unique Mechanics: Combines area control, hand management, network building, and pattern building.

Engaging Theme: A colorful and nostalgic setting that captures the essence of 1950s cocktail culture.

Replay Value: High replayability due to the variety of strategies and card combinations.

Social Interaction: Encourages strategic social maneuvering and player interaction.

Cons

Cluttered Board: The game board can be visually overwhelming, making some functions hard to read.

Complex Setup: The game involves several mechanisms that can be a lot to take in for new players.

Imbalanced Variants: The 2-3 player variant is noted to be less balanced compared to the full player count.

Personal Thoughts on Swinging Jivecat Voodoo Lounge

Swinging Jivecat Voodoo Lounge is ideal for players who enjoy medium-weight games with a mix of strategic depth and social interaction. It’s perfect for those who appreciate unique themes and are willing to dive into complex but rewarding gameplay mechanics. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity, it is a great addition to any board game collection for those who enjoy a challenge and a bit of retro flair.

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