Belratti (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Belratti is a card game that was released in 2018 by Mogel-Verlag. Designed by Michael Loth, the game is meant for 3-8 players and has a runtime of 20-45 minutes. Belratti falls under the categories of card game and deduction game, with cooperative gameplay and communication limits.

Game Components of Belratti

Picture cards: Representing various everyday objects.

Character cards: Including Cat (museum managers) and Owl (painters) roles.

Joker cards: Special aid cards for both roles.

Belratti card: Represents the art forger.

Theme cards: Define the painting styles or themes for each round.

Draw pile: Holds the remaining picture cards.

Score chart: For tracking points.

How To Setup Belratti

To set up Belratti, place the five joker cards in the middle of the table, with the Belratti card above them. Shuffle the picture cards thoroughly and deal them face down to the players based on the number of players (e.g., 18 cards each for 3 players, 9 cards each for 4-5 players, 6 cards each for 6-7 players). The remaining cards form the draw pile. Distribute the character cards (Cat and Owl) according to the player count, ensuring roles are rotated each turn.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Roles: Players alternate between being museum managers (Cats) and painters (Owls).

Theme Selection: Museum managers draw two theme cards and ask painters for a specified number of paintings.

Painting Submission: Painters submit cards they think match the themes without discussing specifics.

Belratti’s Fakes: Four fake paintings by Belratti are added to the submissions.

Sorting: Museum managers sort out real and fake paintings, discussing openly.

Scoring: Points are awarded for correctly assigned paintings and deducted for fakes.

Game End: The game ends if Belratti has six or more fakes in the museum; otherwise, roles are rotated, and a new round begins.

Objective: Prevent Belratti from getting his forgeries into the museum while correctly identifying and placing genuine paintings.

Player Experience

Belratti is a game that excels in engaging players from the very first turn. With rotating roles, everyone gets to experience both the strategic side of being a museum manager and the creative challenge of being a painter. The game’s simplicity in rules contrasts with its depth in strategy, making it enjoyable for players of all ages and skill levels. The addition of joker cards adds a layer of excitement and unpredictability, while the changing roles keep the game fresh and dynamic.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it easy to teach and play.

High Engagement: Rotating roles keep players engaged throughout.

Strategic Depth: Combines strategy with creative thinking.

Social Interaction: Encourages lively debates and teamwork.

Portable: Highly portable and can be played in a short amount of time.

Joker Cards: Add a fun and unpredictable element to the game.

Cons

Luck Factor: Can be frustrating if Belratti’s fakes fit the themes better than the painters’ selections.

Limited Communication: The restriction on communication can sometimes lead to tenuous connections and misunderstandings.

Card Design: Some players find the card designs too realistic and not like paintings.

Personal Thoughts on Belratti

Belratti is an ideal game for anyone seeking a cooperative party game that combines deduction, strategy, and creativity. It is perfect for groups of 3-7 players and is suitable for all ages and skill levels. The game’s ability to keep everyone engaged through rotating roles and the challenge of outsmarting the art forger make it a delightful addition to any game collection. If you enjoy games like Codenames, Decrypto, or Turing, you will likely find Belratti to be a fun and challenging experience.

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