(May Cause) Side Effects (2019) Board Game

(May Cause) Side Effects is a party game released in 2019 by Pressman Toy Corp. It is designed for 4-12 players aged 13 and up. The game revolves around humorous and wacky side effects that players must act out in order to win points.

Game Components of (May Cause) Side Effects

Three decks of cards: Two pill-shaped decks (one for physical actions and one for vocal alterations) and one standard deck for words.

Pill cards: 50 Blue Pill Cards and an equal number of Red Pill Cards.

Word cards: Colored word cards with different sections (yellow, green, blue, purple, orange).

Timer: Typically a cellphone timer.

Game bottle: The game comes in an oversized prescription pill bottle packaging.

How To Setup (May Cause) Side Effects

To set up the game, players divide into equal teams. Each team chooses five cards from each of the pill-shaped decks and shuffles them together, forming two 10-card decks. The remaining pill cards are returned to the bottle. The word deck is shuffled and placed in the middle of the play area. A color from the word deck is chosen, dictating which word section will be used for the entire game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Team Play: Players are divided into teams.

Patient and Lab Assistant Roles: One player from each team acts as the Patient, while the others are Lab Assistants.

Pill Effects: The Patient draws one Blue Pill (affects speech) and one Red Pill (affects physical actions).

Timer: A 40-second timer is set.

Guessing Words: The Patient draws a word card and must get their teammates to guess the word without saying it, while acting out the pill effects.

Scoring: Correctly guessed words earn the team the word card.

Game End: The game ends when all pill cards are used. The team with the most word cards wins.

Player Experience

**(May Cause) Side Effects** offers a fun and fast-paced experience, ideal for gatherings and parties. Players enjoy the hilarious challenges and creative ways of communicating under the influence of the pill effects. The game is quick to learn and plays out in about five rounds, making it a great icebreaker or addition to a game night.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple and quick to understand.

Fast-Paced Fun: Games are short and filled with laughter.

Creative Communication: Unique challenges that encourage creative thinking.

Group Involvement: Engages multiple players in each round.

Cons

Limited Rounds: The game consists of only five rounds.

Potential for Damage: Some players have reported receiving damaged products.

Age Restriction: While designed for 13+, the humor and challenges may appeal more to older teenagers and adults.

Personal Thoughts on (May Cause) Side Effects

**(May Cause) Side Effects** is perfect for teenagers and adults looking for a light-hearted, entertaining game that fosters teamwork and creativity. It is an excellent choice for family gatherings, parties, or any social event where fun and laughter are the primary goals. The unique pill effects and timer add a layer of excitement and challenge, making it a memorable addition to any game collection.

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