Ticked Off (2011) Board Game

Ticked Off is a party word game designed by Jennifer Vargas and released in in 2011. It is intended for 3-10 players, with the best experience for 6-8 players. The game is suitable for players aged 13 and above and falls into the categories of party game and word game.

Game Components of Ticked Off

168 two-sided cards, each with two different category topics

Game board

Score track

Bidding tokens

Pens or pencils for writing answers

How To Setup Ticked Off

To set up Ticked Off, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. The category cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Each player receives a pen or pencil for writing their answers. The game is ready to go once the start player is determined.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Bidding Mechanic: Players take turns making claims (bids) on how many items they can list in a given category.

Category Reveal: After bidding, a second category is revealed, and players choose one of the two categories to list items from.

Time Limit: Players have a limited time (30 seconds) to write down as many answers as possible from their chosen category.

Scoring: Players score points for unique answers; the bidder scores double points for unique answers if they meet their bid. Additional points are awarded for listing more answers than the bid.

Game Objective

The objective is to accumulate the most points by listing unique items in the chosen category and meeting or exceeding the bid. The game ends when one or more players surpass 50 points, with the player having the greatest amount of points declared the winner.

Player Experience

Ticked Off is a game that balances strategy with quick thinking and broad knowledge. Players must carefully bid based on their confidence in the category, while also considering the potential impact of the second revealed category. The game can be quite engaging, especially with larger groups, as it encourages competitive and often humorous interactions. However, some players have noted that the categories may not be universally relevant, which can affect the game’s appeal to certain age groups or demographics.

Pros

Engaging and Interactive: Encourages competitive and humorous interactions among players.

Strategic Bidding: Requires players to think strategically about their bids and category choices.

Broad Appeal: Suitable for a wide range of players, from 3 to 10, making it a good option for larger gatherings.

Cons

Category Irrelevance: Some categories may be less relevant or interesting to certain age groups or demographics.

Potential for Dominance: If bidding doesn’t get pushed high enough, the game can end quickly with one player dominating the scores.

Time Pressure: The time limit can be stressful, especially for players who need more time to think and write down their answers.

Personal Thoughts on Ticked Off

Ticked Off is ideal for groups looking for a light-hearted, interactive party game that tests general knowledge and strategic thinking. It is particularly suited for social gatherings or family game nights where a broad range of ages and interests are present. However, it may not be the best fit for younger teens due to some categories being less relevant to their interests. Overall, it offers a fun and dynamic gaming experience with the right group of players.

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