Pictures (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Pictures is a board game released in 2019 by the publisher PD-Verlag. It is designed by Christian Stöhr and Daniela Stöhr, with artwork by Dominik Mayer, Daniela Stöhr, and Christian Stöhr. The game falls under the deduction and party game categories, focusing on communication limits, deduction, and pattern recognition. It is suitable for players aged 8 and above, with a player count of 3–5 players and a playtime of 20–30 minutes.

Game Components of Pictures

Picture Cards: 91 double-sided cards featuring various images like animals, buildings, cityscapes, vehicles, and food.

Components: Shoelaces, colored cubes, icon cards, sticks and stones, and wooden building blocks.

Coordinate System: A grid with letters and numbers to identify picture locations.

Score Sheet: For tracking points.

How To Setup Pictures

To set up Pictures, lay out a 4×4 grid of 16 picture cards on the table. Each row and column is labeled with coordinates (letters and numbers). Each player draws a coordinate chip from a bag, determining their secret picture for the round. The game components are distributed among the players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Draw Coordinate: Players draw a coordinate chip to determine their secret picture.

Recreate Image: Use one set of components (shoelaces, colored cubes, icon cards, sticks and stones, or building blocks) to recreate the secret picture.

Guess Images: Players try to guess the images created by other players.

Score Points: Points are awarded for correct guesses and for other players correctly guessing your image.

Game Rounds: The game is played over 5 rounds, with components rotating among players each round.

Winning Condition: The player with the most points at the end of the 5 rounds wins.

Player Experience

Pictures is praised for its simplicity and creativity. Players love the challenge of using limited components to recreate complex images, which often leads to humorous and creative interpretations. The game is highly engaging, encouraging players to think abstractly and use their imagination. It is suitable for a wide age range, including children as young as 7, and is enjoyed by both casual and serious gamers.

Pros

Simple Rules: The rules fit on a single sheet of paper.

High Creativity: Encourages creative thinking and problem-solving.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and up.

Quick Playtime: Games last only 20-30 minutes.

Variety: 91 double-sided picture cards offer a high replay value.

Cons

Replayability Concerns: Some players feel that the game may lose appeal after multiple plays due to the finite number of picture cards.

Component Limitations: The challenge can sometimes feel too abstract, making it difficult for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Pictures

Pictures is an excellent addition to any game collection, especially for families and casual gamers. It shines in its ability to foster creativity and laughter, making it a great choice for social gatherings and family game nights. While it may not be the best fit for competitive gamers focused solely on winning, it is perfect for those who enjoy the process of creating and guessing, and who value the social interaction and creative challenge it offers.

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