Ouch! (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ouch! is a party game that was released in 2022 by Devir. Designed by Romain Caterdjian and Théo Rivière, this game is all about pushing your luck and testing your nerves in a fun and interactive way.

Game Components of Ouch!

44 Cards: 36 cards featuring cacti and 8 cards with special animal rules.

Cards include cacti with different colored flowers (red, blue, purple, and yellow) and animals like snakes and fennec foxes.

Five rulebooks in different languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Catalan/Valencien.

How To Setup Ouch!

To set up the game, shuffle the deck of 44 cards and place six of them in a row on the table with their cactus sides up. Ensure the other side of the cards remains hidden. Choose a start player, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Luck and Risk: Players take turns picking cards by a specific side, risking getting “pricked” by cactus spines.

Take-That: Some cards allow players to steal cards from others or take extra turns.

Set Collection: Points are awarded for collecting sets of different colored flowers.

Push Your Luck: Special cards like the fennec fox and red flowers introduce additional risk and reward elements.

Game Objective

The goal is to collect the most points by gathering flowers on the cards while avoiding the cactus spines.

Each flower is worth one point, with bonuses for collecting sets of four different colored flowers and for having the most red flowers.

Player Experience

Ouch is a fun, easy-to-learn game that is perfect for short intervals, such as waiting for food at a restaurant or during a quick break. The game is simple to teach, making it accessible to young children and new players. However, it does involve a significant amount of luck, which can lead to occasional frustration if players keep getting “pricked” by the cactus spines. The game’s cute art and unique theme add to its charm, making it a great addition to family game nights.

Pros

Quick and Portable: The game is compact and can be played in just 10 minutes.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to players of all ages.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for children as young as 5 years old.

Engaging Theme: The desert cacti and cute animals make the game visually appealing.

Cons

High Luck Factor: The outcome is heavily influenced by luck, which may not appeal to players seeking more strategic games.

No Tie Breakers: The game lacks a tie-breaker rule, which can lead to shared victories.

Personal Thoughts on Ouch!

Ouch is an ideal game for families, casual gamers, and anyone looking for a quick, light-hearted game. It’s perfect for introducing young children to the world of board games due to its simplicity and short playtime. While the luck element might be frustrating at times, the game’s fun and interactive nature makes it a great addition to any game collection. If you’re okay with a bit of luck and enjoy a good laugh, Ouch is definitely worth a try.

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