John Bandettini
United Kingdom
London
No, no, no, no, no, yes
A new season and all is well in the world
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In my reviews I concentrate on two aspects of the game. A look at what you actually get in the box. The components of the game, a look at both the quantity and quality.
Secondly, my experiences with the game including what I like about it and anything I don’t like about it.
This time I thought I would look at something a bit lighter. And it does not get much lighter than party games. So this time I am looking at Say Anything a party game by North Star Games. A game designed by the owner and well known Geek about town Dominic Crapuchettes (with his partner Satish Pillalamarri)
It’s a game for 3 to 8 players that can be played in around 30 minutes. The box says it for 13+ but I have played it with much younger than that. I would say from about 6 or 7.
It must be said it does not get off to a good start when you see the box. Sorry Dom but it is a really cheesy looking box. It looks like the kind of product you find in the UK in somewhere called a pound shop. Where everything costs £1. The one thing I can say in the box’s favour is that it is loud and distinct. You will notice it.
When you open the box you will find a one page sheet of rules. (At least my version did) It is a pretty simple game to understand. The box says 2 minutes to explain and that is probably the maximum time it will take.
There is a good useful box insert and on top of that you will find the scorecard. The game lasts 12 rounds and players record their scores, round by round here. Across the top are the round numbers and on the far right a column for total points. Most points wins. (I did not need to write that surely  ) Down the left side are 8 icons, each player at the beginning of the game chooses an icon and colour, their scores go along here. The scores are written on the board with a dry erasable pen.
Each player gets a blank answer board of matching icon to the one they choose. These too are erasable.
Each player also gets two tokens with their icons on them. In Say Anything you don’t just guess an answer to a trivia question. You get to bet on the answers and you don’t have to pick your own.
You get a set of pens to write with. There was a bit of a problem with some of them drying up and being unusable. (I believe this is no longer a problem) Dom being the top man he is will replace pens that don’t work.
As I have several games that use dry erase pens, I just bought a set from a stationers for myself.
There are 80 question cards containing 400 questions. If that does not sound a lot don’t worry it’s not a traditional trivia game. The questions have no set answers.
Finally and most importantly you get the Select-o-matic 5000. You definitely could not play the game without this. It’s a round piece of card, on one side it has a clock style hand that can be moved around to point at any of the player icons.
So how do all these bits come together to make a game?
• Well you all pick an icon and take the matching answer boards and tokens.
• Choose a starting player
• The starting player picks a card and asks any question from it
• The other players all write on their boards a possible answer and reveal them
• In case of more than one player giving the same answer all but first person to reveal has to change their answer
• The player who asked the question secretly chooses which answer they prefer and use the Select-o-matic 5000 to record it
• The other players then use their tokens to bet on which answer they think the player who asked the question will choose
• The selection is then revealed and points given out
• 1 point for the person whose answer was picked
• 1 point for each token on the chosen answer, goes to the tokens owner
• The player who asked the question gets a point for every token on the answer they choose, up to a maximum of 3 points.
• Write all the points onto the score board and pass the questions on to the next player
• Repeat for 12 rounds
What do I think of the game?
It’s a lot of fun. It’s easy and it’s quick. This is the most popular party game in my house. My wife and daughter are not great gamers but this is one I can always get them to play.
This game is not exactly the best game ever made, it’s not even the best party game (although it is a very good one) but it’s real strength is that it is a game that absolutely anyone can play. The idea is so simple and it can be explained so quickly that from young kids to grand parents everyone can play.
The questions all have subjective answers so there is no ‘right’ answer. Examples of questions are:
What’s the sappiest love song ever?
What does the world need more of?
And many, many more.
The other thing that I find so interesting is how this game changes depending on who you play it with. Play it with all adults and it’s a very different experience than if you play with children. Playing it with people you know really well is very different from playing with people you don’t know.
So to sum up. A quick , fun game that can be played with anyone.
Only one question remains, why don’t you have a copy?
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Take joy from you wins; take lessons from your losses.
United States
38.978164N 76.486881W
Maryland
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I'll tell you why I don't have a copy -- because the copy I bought at Family Game Store in Savage Mill didn't make it to the car after I bought it. My 13-year-old daughter set it down somewhere.
QUIT MOCKING ME!
I've had a good time playing a buddy's copy of this for the last year. Good with kids, good with adults that have had a couple as well. The game seems to morph to the venue, and that's valuable.
S.
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John Bandettini
United Kingdom
London
No, no, no, no, no, yes
A new season and all is well in the world
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Sagrilarus wrote:
I'll tell you why I don't have a copy -- because the copy I bought at Family Game Store in Savage Mill didn't make it to the car after I bought it. My 13-year-old daughter set it down somewhere.
QUIT MOCKING ME!
I've had a good time playing a buddy's copy of this for the last year. Good with kids, good with adults that have had a couple as well. The game seems to morph to the venue, and that's valuable.
S.
As if I would mock you John.
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Simon Woodward
New Zealand
Hamilton
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Sagrilarus wrote:
I'll tell you why I don't have a copy -- because the copy I bought at Family Game Store in Savage Mill didn't make it to the car after I bought it. My 13-year-old daughter set it down somewhere...
I guess you're weren't prepared that time.
(Kids...gotta love 'em)
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Luke Warren
United States
Dist of Columbia
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Sagrilarus wrote:
I'll tell you why I don't have a copy -- because the copy I bought at Family Game Store in Savage Mill didn't make it to the car after I bought it. My 13-year-old daughter set it down somewhere.
QUIT MOCKING ME!
I am sure the good folks at the Savage Mill game store would be happy to sell you another copy! 
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