Hooky (2023) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Hooky is a word game that was released in in 2023. It is designed by Tessa Samuelson and Mirko Akira Suzuki, with artwork by Rio Grande Games. The game is categorized as a deduction game and is suitable for players aged 14 and above.

Game Components of Hooky

A deck of 26 letter cards

A set of Hooky cards representing the missing students

Playground cards that are revealed over the course of the game

Deduction sheets for each player

Player screens to hide deduction sheets

A first player marker

Cards featuring artwork by Aseema students.

How To Setup Hooky

To set up Hooky, start by shuffling the deck of 26 letter cards and secretly removing three cards to form the Hooky pile. Place these cards face down on the table. Then, lay out three additional cards face down in the “playground” area. Each player is dealt a starting hand of cards, the number of which varies depending on the player count. Each player receives a deduction sheet and a player screen to keep their deductions private.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deduction Mechanic: Players use five-letter words to ask for and give clues about the letters in their hands.

Clue Giving: When asked, a player must respond with the number of times the letters of the word appear in their hand.

Revealing Cards: Players can choose to reveal a card from their hand to secretly look at a card from an opponent’s hand.

Playground Cards: One Playground card is revealed at the end of rounds 1, 2, and 3, providing additional clues.

Guessing Hooky Cards: Players make guesses about the Hooky cards at the end of rounds 4, 5, and 6.

Scoring:
– 5 points for each correct Hooky card guess in rounds 4 and 5
– 10 points for each correct Hooky card guess in round 6
– 1 point for each letter card correctly guessed in other players’ hands
– 1 bonus point for correctly guessing an opponent’s full hand.

Player Experience

Hooky offers a engaging and challenging experience, blending deduction with a hint of push-your-luck mechanics. Players must be creative in forming five-letter words to gather information and deduce which students are missing. The game keeps all players involved throughout, as there is no player elimination for incorrect guesses. The artwork, featuring real students from schools supported by Friends of Aseema, adds a meaningful and personal touch to the game.

Pros

Engaging Deduction: The game requires strategic thinking and creative word formation.

High Replayability: With multiple rounds and varying player interactions, each game is unique.

Supports a Good Cause: Proceeds from the game benefit the Aseema Charitable Trust in Mumbai, India.

Simple to Teach: The rules can be explained in just a few minutes, making it easy to introduce to new players.

Cons

Complexity: While the rules are simple, the game itself can be quite complex and demanding for some players.

Guessing Incentives: The scoring system rewards later guesses more, which might seem counterintuitive to some players.

Personal Thoughts on Hooky

Hooky is an excellent choice for fans of deduction and word games. It offers a challenging and engaging experience that keeps players actively involved. The game’s support for a good cause adds an extra layer of meaning, making it a worthwhile addition to any game collection. However, it may not be suitable for younger players due to its complexity and the recommended age of 14+. Overall, Hooky is a solid game for those who enjoy puzzles and strategic thinking.

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