Your Friend Is Sad (2021) Board Game

Your Friend Is Sad is a card game released in 2021, designed by Aaron Lenk and Shen. It is a game that focuses on hand management, matching, and can also be played as a solo or solitaire game. The game features artwork by Jason Anarchy Games and is suitable for players aged 14 and above.

Game Components of Your Friend Is Sad

Cheer Up cards: Displayed at the start, these cards have different icons that need to be collected.

Brain Cards: Representing Repressed Memories, these are placed below the Cheer Up cards.

Feelings Cards: Used in completing Cheer Up cards.

Vibe Bot cards: Act as wild cards for any feeling.

Brain Goop cards: Can substitute for any color goop.

Life Cards: Allow players to draw more cards into their hand.

Guest cards: Featuring artwork from various comics like Cyanide and Happiness, Doodle For Food, and more.

How To Setup Your Friend Is Sad

To set up the game, display the Cheer Up cards. Below these, place a set number of Brain Cards, which are the Repressed Memories. Each player starts with a hand of Brain Cards. The remaining Brain Cards are placed in a deck.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Stop to Think: Choose a Brain Card from the Repressed Memories and replace it with a new one.

Better Yourself: Draw two Brain Cards blind from the deck or trade a card from your hand with one from the Repressed Memories.

Get a Life: Discard a Feelings Card or a Vibe Bot to draw a Life Card.

Complete Cheer: Discard matching Brain Cards to claim a Cheer Up Card and draw a new one.

Objective: Score 13 points from Cheer Up Cards or complete three Cheer Up Cards with the same sadness type.

Player Experience

**Your Friend Is Sad** offers a lightweight and accessible gaming experience. Players manipulate the displayed Repressed Memories and their hand to match the icons on the Cheer Up cards. The game includes elements of luck, but cards like Vibe Bot and Brain Goop help mitigate this. The solo mode, known as FRIENDLESS MODE, provides a satisfying puzzle for single players. The game is quick to play and features a charming theme of cheering up a sad friend through various fun activities like spa days, axe throwing, and more.

Pros

Engaging Theme: Unique and charming theme of helping a friend overcome sadness.

Mitigation of Luck: Cards like Vibe Bot and Brain Goop reduce the frustration of not having the right cards.

Solo Mode: FRIENDLESS MODE offers a fun and challenging puzzle for solo players.

Quick Playtime: Games typically last 30 minutes, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule.

Mental Health Awareness: Includes advice and resources for mental health, raising awareness in a light-hearted way.

Cons

Luck of the Draw: Some elements of luck can be frustrating, although mitigated by certain cards.

Simple Mechanics: Some players might find the gameplay too simple or repetitive.

Personal Thoughts on Your Friend Is Sad

**Your Friend Is Sad** is perfect for those looking for a light-hearted, easy-to-play card game that still offers a bit of strategy. It’s great for teens and adults who appreciate a game with a unique theme and quick playtime. The inclusion of mental health resources adds a thoughtful layer to the game, making it more than just a casual pastime. If you’re looking for a game that combines fun with a touch of seriousness, **Your Friend Is Sad** is definitely worth checking out.

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