The Cat (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

The Cat is a card game that was released in 2018 by AMIGO, designed by Brad Ross, Don Ullman, and Jack Ullman. The game’s artwork was done by Raimund Frey, and it is designed for 2 to 4 players aged 8 and up. The Cat falls under the card game category and features the mechanism of simultaneous action selection.

Game Components of The Cat

3-4 stacks of four cards per player, depending on the number of players

Cards featuring cats in thirteen different moods

Central card pool

How To Setup The Cat

To set up the game, each player receives three or four stacks of four cards, depending on the number of players. The remaining cards are placed in a central pool on the table.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Simultaneous card play

Card exchange from stacks to the central pool

Real-time strategy

Game Objective

Change the moods of your cats quickly to have only cards of a single mood in each stack.

Players simultaneously exchange exactly one card from one of their stacks with a card from the center of the table.

The game ends when a player has collected four identical cards in each of their stacks and shouts “Stop!”

Points are scored for each stack with four identical cards, with a bonus point for the player who ended the round correctly.

The first player to reach 20 points wins.

Player Experience

The Cat is a quick and engaging game that requires strategic thinking and swift decision-making. Players must monitor their stacks and the central pool closely to make the best exchanges. The simultaneous play adds an element of excitement and unpredictability, as players must react quickly to changing circumstances.

Pros

Fast-paced and engaging gameplay

Simple to learn but challenging to master

Suitable for families and casual gamers

Encourages real-time strategy and quick thinking

Cons

Limited depth for experienced gamers

Rounds can end quickly, leading to a somewhat short overall game time

Depends heavily on luck in card draws

Personal Thoughts on The Cat

The Cat is an excellent choice for families, younger children, and anyone looking for a light-hearted, easy-to-understand game. It’s not designed for complex strategists but rather for those who enjoy quick, social interactions and a bit of luck. The game’s theme, centered around changing cat moods, adds a fun and whimsical touch that makes it appealing to a wide range of players. While it may not offer the depth that some gamers crave, it excels at providing a fun, fast-paced experience that’s perfect for casual gaming sessions.

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