Cat in the box (2020) Board Game

Cat in the box is a card game designed by Muneyuki Yokouchi and published by Ayatsurare Ningyoukan in in 2020. The game is designed for 3-4 players and has a runtime of 30-45 minutes. It falls under the category of animals and card games, with game mechanisms such as enclosure, hand management, predictive bid, and trick-taking.

Game Components of Cat in the Box

1 Research Board

5 Player Boards

64 Tokens

1 Scorepad

1 Rulebook

A deck of 45 cards (numbered 1-9, with five cards of each number)

Artwork featuring a black cat in various poses.

How To Setup Cat in the Box

To set up the game, players are dealt 10 cards each and immediately discard one card face down, which only they know. The remaining cards are used for the round. For 3-5 players, the deck is adjusted by removing the necessary high-numbered cards (e.g., “9” cards for four players and “7-9” cards for three players). Each player has a player board and tokens to mark their played cards on the research board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Trick-Taking: Players take turns playing cards, declaring the suit of each card as they play it.

Suit Determination: Cards have no inherent suit; the suit is determined by the player when the card is played.

Paradox Mechanic: If a player cannot play a card because all possible suits for their numbers have been used or declared off-limits, a paradox occurs, ending the round immediately.

Scoring: Points are awarded for winning tricks and for achieving the predicted number of tricks (bid). Additional points are given for connected tokens on the research board.

Area Control: Players aim to create contiguous groups of their tokens on the board to score extra points.

Bidding: Players bid on how many tricks they think they will win before each round.

Player Experience

**Cat in the Box** offers a dynamic and strategic gameplay experience. Players must carefully plan their moves, balancing the need to win tricks with the risk of creating a paradox. The game requires a mix of short-term tactical decisions and long-term strategic planning, especially in managing the area control aspect to maximize scoring opportunities. The absence of inherent suits on the cards adds a unique layer of complexity and flexibility, making each round engaging and unpredictable.

Pros

Unique Mechanics: The suit-determination mechanic adds a fresh twist to traditional trick-taking games.

Strategic Depth: Combines trick-taking with area control and bidding, offering multiple layers of strategy.

Accessibility: Easy to teach and learn, with a relatively short game length of about 30 minutes.

Components: High-quality components, including the research board and translucent player tokens.

Cons

Rule Clarification: Some ambiguity in the rules, particularly regarding declaring oneself out of all colors.

Complexity: While accessible, the game’s unique mechanics may require some time to fully understand and master.

Personal Thoughts on Cat in the Box

**Cat in the Box** is ideal for fans of trick-taking games and those looking for a game with a unique twist. It appeals to players who enjoy strategic planning and area control elements. The game’s complexity is moderate, making it suitable for both casual and experienced gamers. However, it may not convert those who are not fond of trick-taking games, but it certainly stands out as a compelling addition to the genre.

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