Someone Has Died (2016) Board Game

Someone Has Died is a humorous party game that was released in in 2016. Designed by Ellie Black and Adi Slepack, this card game focuses on storytelling and role-playing, making it a unique addition to any game night.

Game Components of Someone Has Died

31 Identity Cards: Define the occupation or general description of a player’s character.

27 Relationship Cards: Help players establish their connection to the deceased.

77 Backstory Cards: Add flavor and depth to the players’ stories.

28 Objection Cards: Can be used to interrupt and challenge other players’ stories.

Instructions.

How To Setup Someone Has Died

To set up the game, separate and shuffle the Identity, Relationship, and Backstory cards. Place the Backstory deck in the center of the table and keep the Identity and Relationship cards nearby. Designate a player as the estate keeper, who will moderate the game and decide who deserves the inheritance. The estate keeper draws an Identity card face-up to define the character of the deceased and informs the players about the fortune they are competing for. Each player is dealt one Identity card, one Relationship card, and two Backstory cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Judge: The estate keeper acts as a moderator and judge.

Role Playing: Players take on the roles of unusual characters.

Storytelling: Players use their cards to create compelling and entertaining stories.

Objective: Players must convince the estate keeper that they deserve the inheritance by incorporating all their cards into their story. The game is played over four parts: opening statements, interrogation round, recess round, and final statements. Objection cards can be used at any point to challenge other players’ stories.

Player Experience

Someone Has Died is known for its silly and improvisational nature, encouraging creativity and laughter among players. The game is designed to be highly interactive, with players poking holes in each other’s stories and using objection cards to add twists. The game’s ridiculous roles and backstories ensure that no two games are ever the same, making it a great addition to any board game collection. It has been praised for helping new players overcome the embarrassment of role-playing and for fostering a fun, collaborative atmosphere.

Pros

Encourages creativity and improvisation.

Highly interactive and engaging gameplay.

Suitable for players who enjoy role-playing and storytelling.

Easy to learn with concise instructions.

Promotes laughter and fun among players.

Cons

May not appeal to those who prefer more structured or competitive games.

The learning curve involves maintaining a narrative line, which can be challenging for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Someone Has Died

Someone Has Died is perfect for creative and outgoing groups looking to add some humor and improvisation to their game nights. It’s an excellent choice for those transitioning from more serious role-playing games, as it helps build comfort with character interpretation and storytelling. The game’s light-hearted and entertaining nature makes it accessible to a wide range of players, from seasoned gamers to those new to the world of board games. If you’re looking for a game that combines persuasion, accusation, and laughter, Someone Has Died is an excellent pick.

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