Girl Genius: The Works (2018) Board Game

Girl Genius: The Works is a card game based on the popular webcomic series “Girl Genius” by Phil and Kaja Foglio. The game was released in 2018 by Cheapass Games and is designed for 2-4 players aged 12 and up. The game is set in a steampunk world where players take on the roles of mad scientists competing to build contraptions and gain the most points.

Game Components of Girl Genius: The Works

Card Deck: A specially designed deck of 108 cards for the original version, and four sixty-card decks for the 2018 version, each based on major story arcs.

Card Symbols: Each card has symbols along its four edges, ranging from one to eight, and come in five types.

Point Values: Cards have point values between 0 and 9.

Instructions: Most cards have instructions that must be followed when the card is “popped”.

How To Setup Girl Genius: The Works

To set up the game, lay out 12 cards in a lattice pattern (“the Works”), with all cards face-down except for two corner cards which are face-up. Each player starts with a hand of five cards and an empty score pile.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Flip a Card: If there are face-down cards, flip one face-up.

Spin a Card: Pick up a face-up card, spin it 180 degrees, and put it back.

Check: Match symbols on edges of the spun card with neighboring cards; cards with more symbols “pop” out.

Replace Cards: Fill blank spaces with new cards from the player’s hand.

Game Objective

Be the first player to reach 100 points by “popping” cards out of the layout.

Alternative win conditions include popping specific cards when certain conditions are met (e.g., a “Racing Dirigible” with two Submarines, or a Submarine with three Dirigibles).

Player Experience

**Girl Genius: The Works** offers a medium-chance game suitable for players aged 10 and up. The game involves strategic thinking and matching symbols to “pop” cards, which can lead to unexpected turns and exciting moments. With a setup time of just 2 minutes and a playing time of about 30 minutes, it’s a quick and engaging game.

Pros

High-Quality Components: The game features laminated cards with detailed designs.

Strategic Depth: Requires strategic thinking and planning.

Quick Games: Short setup and playtime make it a great filler game.

Thematic Engagement: Deeply rooted in the *Girl Genius* comic series, appealing to fans.

Cons

Complexity: The symbol-matching mechanic can be confusing for new players.

Luck Factor: Medium chance element means some wins are due to luck rather than strategy.

Limited Replayability: While fun, the fixed deck can limit long-term replayability compared to collectible card games.

Personal Thoughts on Girl Genius: The Works

**Girl Genius: The Works** is perfect for fans of the *Girl Genius* series and those who enjoy strategic card games with a unique twist. It’s a great game for families and casual gamers due to its easy-to-learn mechanics and short playtime. However, it may not appeal as strongly to players seeking deeply complex or highly replayable games. The game’s blend of strategy and luck makes it an enjoyable addition to any board game collection.

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