Dance Card! (2021) Board Game

Dance Card! is a board game released in 2021, designed by Leda Chung, Ellie Jang, and Steven Tu. It is a fun and engaging game that combines elements of dice rolling, music, and strategy. The game can be played by 1-4 players, making it versatile for different group sizes and settings. With a runtime of 30-60 minutes and an age recommendation of 10+, Dance Card! offers a dynamic gaming experience for players of all ages.

Game Components of Dance Card!

Student standees

Dance floor tiles

Friend and partner cards

Dice

Music spinner

Mix It Up cards

Chaperone tokens (in deluxe edition)

Music rules cards (in deluxe/expansion content)

How To Setup Dance Card!

To set up the game, players first place the dance floor tiles, then distribute the student standees according to the chosen mode (solo, cooperative, or competitive). Each player selects a student and receives a card listing their desired dance partners. Friends and partner cards are placed on their respective spaces, and the music spinner is set up. In competitive mode, players also prepare the Mix It Up cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Modes: Solo, cooperative, or competitive.

Objective: Complete 3 successful “Dance actions” by rolling required symbols on the dice.

Dice Rolling: Roll dice to meet the symbol requirements for each dance partner.

Friend Support: Having friends present adds dice to the roll.

Partner Influence: Partner’s friends and music genre preferences can add extra dice.

Mix It Up Cards: Periodically redistribute students, affecting plans.

Chaperones: In deluxe edition, chaperones add penalty dice to dance rolls.

Player Experience

In Dance Card!, players must navigate the complexities of high school social dynamics. The game requires strategic planning, especially in competitive mode where players can thwart each other’s plans. The cooperative mode is more straightforward, with players working together to ensure everyone completes their dances. The game includes elements of luck, particularly with the Mix It Up cards, which can either hinder or help players.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Requires planning ahead and adapting to changing circumstances.

Social Interaction: Captures the essence of high school social dynamics.

Variable Difficulty: Can be made easier or harder with additional challenges like chaperones.

Replayability: Different game modes and random elements ensure varied gameplay.

Cons

Luck Factor: Mix It Up cards and dice rolls introduce a significant element of chance.

Potential for Mean-Spirited Play: Competitive mode can be quite aggressive and spiteful.

Personal Thoughts on Dance Card!

Dance Card is ideal for players who enjoy light-hearted, socially interactive games with a touch of strategy. It’s a great choice for those who appreciate the thematic elements of high school life and are willing to engage in a bit of friendly competition. However, players seeking purely strategic games with minimal luck might find the random elements somewhat frustrating. Overall, it’s a fun and engaging game that balances simplicity with depth, making it appealing to a wide range of players.

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