Scream Machine (2003) Board Game

Scream Machine is a card game designed by Aaron Williams and released in in 2003. It is a set collection game that can be played by 3-6 players, with the best experience being for 3-4 players. The game is designed for players aged 7 and up and has a runtime of around 45 minutes. The game is published by Jolly Roger Games and falls under the category of card games.

Game Components of Scream Machine

Cards: Two decks – 32 Customers cards and 84 Attraction cards.

Attraction Cards: Grouped into seven types (Roller Coasters, Water Rides, Food, Kiddie Rides, etc.), each with 1, 3, and 5 point attractions.

Customers Cards: Include four customers for each attraction type and special “Cheapskate” customers.

Scoreboard: A small cardboard scoreboard.

Score Markers: Six small wooden cubes.

Start Player Card: One card to determine the starting player.

Action Summary Cards: Three cards to summarize player actions.

How To Setup Scream Machine

To set up Scream Machine, each player starts with five attraction cards, known as their “in-house” designs. Players secretly select up to four building points worth of attractions to build their park, revealing their choices simultaneously. The selections can include one point attractions costing one building point, three point rides costing two building points, and five point attractions costing three building points. If a player uses only three building points, they can take the fourth point as a customer point. The remaining attraction cards are kept but not added to during this initial phase.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Majority Game Mechanics: Players compete to attract the most customers by having the best rides in each of the seven attraction types.

Variable Payouts: Victory points are awarded based on the customers’ preferences, which can vary each round.

Action Points: Players have four action points per turn to improve their park.

Round Structure: The game is played over several rounds, with the number of rounds determined by the number of players (6 rounds with 3 or 6 players, 4 with 4 players, and 5 with 5 players).

Objective: The goal is to score the most customer (victory) points by attracting customers to your park.

Player Experience

Scream Machine offers a engaging and strategic experience, especially with 3 or 4 players. The game combines the theme of building an amusement park with the mechanics of a majority game, making it relatable and fun. However, with more players (5 or 6), the game can experience increased downtime as players spend more time analyzing the table and other players’ moves. The game favors players who go last in a round, as they can react to other players’ actions, but each player will have a chance to go last at least once during the game.

Pros

Family-Friendly Theme: The amusement park theme appeals to a wide range of players.

Variable Strategies: The game allows different strategies, including reacting to other players’ moves.

Engaging Artwork: The game features artwork by cartoonist Aaron Williams, adding a charming touch.

Cons

Increased Downtime with More Players: The game can become slower with 5 or 6 players.

Luck of the Draw: The game involves some luck, especially with card draws, which can affect strategy.

Personal Thoughts on Scream Machine

Scream Machine is ideal for families and casual gamers who enjoy strategic games with a relatable theme. It’s particularly enjoyable with 3 or 4 players, where the balance between strategy and luck is well-maintained. For those who like majority games with a twist, Scream Machine offers a unique and fun experience. However, players looking for a game with minimal downtime and less reliance on luck might find it less appealing with a larger player count.

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