Something Wild! (2020) Board Game

Something Wild! is a card game released in 2020 by Funko Games. It is a family-friendly game designed for 2-4 players, with a quick runtime of around 15 minutes. The game is aimed at children aged 6 and above, making it a great option for family game nights.

Game Components of Something Wild!

Character cards numbered 1 through 9 in five brightly colored suits, each featuring a different character.

Power Cards with unique abilities and depicting the main character of the set.

One Funko Pop pocket figure per set.

Character deck.

How To Setup Something Wild!

To set up the game, each player starts with a hand of three cards. The character deck, the Funko Pop figure, and a face-up Power Card are placed on the table.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Drawing and Playing Cards: On each turn, a player draws the top card from the deck and plays a card from their hand into their tableau.

Matching Suits or Icons: If a played card matches the suit of the current Power Card or has the little figure icon, the player takes the Pop figure.

Using Power Cards: Players can use Power Cards to help achieve sets or runs, either the one at the center of the table or any they have personally scored.

Scoring: Players score by forming sets of three identical numbers in any suit or runs of three numbers in numerical order in the same suit. Scoring earns the current face-up Power Card and allows a new Power Card to be placed.

Game Objective: The first player to collect three Power Cards wins the game.

Player Experience

Something Wild is described as a set collection and rummy-style card game, which may not be immediately evident from its simple and cute presentation. The game has a significant element of randomness, similar to classic card games, which helps balance out the gameplay. However, the experience can feel somewhat samey, especially with the limited variety of Power Cards in a single set. Combining multiple decks can add more variety and allow for more players.

Pros

Simple and Family-Friendly: Easy to learn and suitable for families with children.

Cute Characters: Features beloved characters in Funko Pop style.

Portable: Comes with a small, portable set.

Combination Possibilities: Supports combining multiple decks for more variety.

Cons

Limited Interaction: There is only a little bit of interaction between players.

Samey Gameplay: The game can feel repetitive, especially with a single deck.

Limited Power Card Variety: Most Power Cards have similar effects, such as making cards wild or redefining sets.

Personal Thoughts on Something Wild!

Something Wild is a great step up from classic card games like Uno or Rummy for families who are looking for something slightly more complex but still easy to understand. However, for families or players who are accustomed to more complex board games, Something Wild might not offer enough depth or variety. It is an excellent introduction to more intricate card games and can be a fun, light-hearted addition to any family game night.

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