Muse (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Muse is a party game that was released in 2017 by designer Jordan Sorenson and published by 2 Pionki. The game is known for its unique blend of communication limits, cooperative gameplay, and voting mechanics, making it an engaging and interactive experience for players of all ages.

Game Components of Muse

84 Masterpiece cards featuring original, surreal artwork

30 Inspiration cards that set the rules for clues

Two rule cards, including one for the main game and one for the cooperative variant

How To Setup Muse

To set up Muse, players divide into two or three teams. The Masterpiece cards and Inspiration cards are shuffled and placed within reach. The team with the youngest player begins the game. Each team selects a player to be the Muse for their turn.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Team Division: Players split into teams.

Card Selection: One team draws six Masterpiece cards and two Inspiration cards, selecting one of each to pass to the opposing team’s Muse.

Clue Giving: The Muse reveals the Inspiration card and gives a clue based on its parameters, without speaking, making noise, or gesturing.

Card Display: The challenging team shuffles the selected Masterpiece card into the other five and displays them for the Muse’s team to guess.

Guessing: The Muse’s teammates guess which Masterpiece card the clue refers to.

Game Objective

The first team to collect five Masterpiece cards wins the game.

Player Experience

Muse is a game that challenges players to think creatively and use a variety of skills to give and guess clues. The Inspiration cards provide unique challenges, such as humming a melody, striking a pose, or naming a book title, which adds a layer of unpredictability and fun. The game encourages strategic thinking, as teams can lay traps and create red herrings to mislead their opponents. With its beautiful and surreal artwork, Muse offers a dynamic and engaging experience that can be tailored to different groups.

Pros

Creative Clue-Giving: Encourages players to think outside the box and use various forms of communication.

Strategic Depth: Allows for laying traps and creating red herrings, adding a competitive edge.

Beautiful Artwork: Features 84 original, surreal art pieces.

Versatile: Can be played competitively or cooperatively, and with various group sizes.

Portable: Simple rules and components make it easy to carry and play anywhere.

Cons

Uneven Clues: Some Inspiration cards may provide clues that are easier or harder to guess than others.

Limited Laughs: While fun, it may not be the go-to game for big laughs.

Personal Thoughts on Muse

Muse is ideal for players who enjoy creative and strategic games. It is a great addition to any game collection, especially for those who appreciate surreal artwork and challenging clue-giving mechanics. While it excels in competitive settings, it also offers a cooperative variant, making it versatile for different groups and preferences. If you’re looking for a game that challenges your creativity and provides a fun, dynamic experience, Muse is a solid choice.

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