"Pictures" is a creative party game where players use one of five different sets of components—such as shoelaces, colored cubes, or building blocks—to recreate a secret image for others to guess. Players score points by successfully guessing others' pictures and by having their own creations correctly identified. The game, released in 2019, notably won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres award in 2020.
The Verdict
based on 11 reviews
“But the best part of Pictures is trying to compose an image with the limited tools you have available in a round. It’s also why I laugh so hard every time I play.”
“This game is great since it is super easy to set up and super easy to learn. Although this one has some slight strategy to it (unlike many others on the list), everyone will understand it within a few minutes or 1 round of play.”
“The first time we played Codenames: Pictures we played 6 games straight! And there’s plenty more to come. We definitely recommend picking up a copy of Codenames: Pictures for your family!”
“The reviewer enthusiastically described 'Pictures' as a fun, light, and exciting cooperative detective game where players work together to find clues in an 'ocean of pictures', making it a hit with their game group.”
“It’s a delightful cocktail of creativity and fun, perfect for game nights where the objective is pure hilarity. Just remember, the replayability and engaging player interaction make it a brilliant addition to any board game collection.”
The reviewer likely highlighted 'Pictures' as a strong contender or a worthy past recipient of the Spiel des Jahres award, recognizing its engaging gameplay and widespread appeal.
The Board Game Barrage hosts included 'Pictures' in a discussion about games that promote positive social interactions, highlighting its ability to foster good feelings among players.
“Over all, Pictures is a lighthearted game for some casual family fun. It sparks creativity in just about anyone, and simultaneous play keeps everyone engaged.”
“But, with gamers that I know, this game was a hoot. We laughed so loud that we were scolded by the missus of the house to keep it quiet lest we wake up the sleeping baby! That alone is enough to make this game a keeper.”
Tom Vasel personally did not enjoy 'Pictures,' finding some of the component sets boring and the rules unclear, though he acknowledges that most people he played it with loved the game and that it generally goes over well with others.
The reviewer found 'Pictures' to be an interesting challenge but personally did not enjoy the gameplay, citing issues with unclear rules regarding reusing components and the small size of the cards, despite acknowledging that many others find the game enjoyable.
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