Keepers (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Keepers is a deduction board game released in 2022, designed by Byron Jorjorian and published by Van Ryder Games. The game is suitable for 3 to 8 players, with a playing time of 15 to 30 minutes. Players take on the role of investigators trying to identify the culprit behind a crime by gathering clues and making deductions.

Game Components of Keepers

120 Cards featuring photographs by Byron Jorjorian

1 Play Mat (neoprene)

8 Voting Dials

8 Keeper Tokens

1 Curator Token

How To Setup Keepers

To set up Keepers, each player receives a hand of 7 cards from the deck of 120. One player is designated as the Curator. In games with 3-4 players, each player submits 2 cards from their hand, while in games with 5-8 players, each player submits 1 card. The Curator adds their card(s) to the pile, shuffles them, and places each card in a numbered space on the play mat.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics: Voting, Word-Guessing, Social Interaction

Objective: Players aim to identify which card best or least matches a single-word clue given by the Curator.
– The Curator describes one of their cards with a single word that is not a noun.
– Other players submit one (or two, depending on the number of players) of their cards to the center of the table.
– Players vote using the voting dials to select the card that is most or least like the clue word.
– The cards with the most votes for both the most and the least like the clue word are awarded to their respective players.
– The player with the most points, accumulated by winning rounds, is declared the winner.

Player Experience

Keepers is designed as a casual, social game that thrives in larger groups. It is particularly enjoyable with non-gaming friends and family due to its simple rules and short game length. The game encourages creative thinking and social interaction as players try to interpret the clues and vote on the most fitting cards.

Pros

Beautiful Production: The game features high-quality, tarot-sized cards with photographs by a renowned photographer.

Easy to Learn: The rules are straightforward, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

Social Fun: Ideal for large groups and casual gatherings.

Quick Games: Games are relatively short, lasting 15-30 minutes.

Cons

Limited Depth: Hobby gamers may find the game too simple and lacking in strategic depth.

Box Size: The game box is larger than necessary, which could be a minor inconvenience.

Not Suitable for Small Groups: The game is more enjoyable with a larger number of players.

Personal Thoughts on Keepers

Keepers is a great addition to any game collection for those who enjoy casual, social games. It is perfect for family gatherings, parties, or any occasion where you want a light-hearted and interactive experience. However, it may not be the best fit for serious hobby gamers who prefer games with more complexity and strategic depth. Its beautiful production and easy-to-learn mechanics make it an excellent choice for introducing non-gamers to the world of board games.

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