- Scout: Card Game Review – Nominated for Game of the Year 2022
- This is how the original numbers combine
- Information, evaluation and conclusion
The card game “Scout” received a lot of advance praise – then with a 2022 Game of the Year Nomination culminated. We were accordingly excited about the fast card game from Japan in the Oink Games-typical mini box and reduced design. We tested what it’s like to scout the artists for the best show as a ringmaster
How does Scout play?
“Scout” is basically a card shedding game in which you try to play your hand cards as quickly as possible. At the beginning all cards are distributed and each player takes his hand, but may not change their order and later only lay them out in this given order. The only option he/she has initially is to turn the hand completely. Yes, you read that right: In “Scout” the cards are divided into two. If they have a value of 7 on the upper half, they can have a value of 3 on the lower half, for example.
Scout: Watch the Card Game on Amazon
This game principle, that the cards have different numerical values at the top and bottom, is very unusual. When it is your turn, you can only perform one action: either take a card (Scout, possible three times per round) or lay out a combination of cards (Show). There are as many rounds as there are players.
If you cannot lay out a combination of cards whose value is higher than the combination already on display, you can take a card from the table and place it in your own hand where it fits best, and also rotated. This move is the highlight of the game, since the order of the cards was not allowed to be shaken up until this moment. Because now there is often the possibility of a “show”. This “show” is more successful the more artists (cards) take part. There is also a valuable chip that allows you to organize a scout and a show in a row once per game.
Not just luck at the circus
The circus theme is only subtly present in Scout. The names of the artists on the cards and their profession, that’s it for the design. We think that for the gameplay it was the right decision to do without too many distracting elements and illustrations, but to rely on easily readable numbers and clear colors.
“Scout” is an original, short game for in between, in which not only luck, but also tactics help to win. Once you get the hang of the rules, it’s a lot of fun working towards card combinations.
The possible moves are well explained in the instructions with examples, and the unusual course of the game is thus easy to understand, but a practice round is recommended. You have to be careful with new players that they don’t (unintentionally) sort their cards because they’re just used to it. The variant for two players works well, but the card circus is best played with four players.
information and conclusion
In our experience, Scout is only suitable for children aged 12 and over if they want to play without adults. It is not necessarily suitable for families with younger children, since children probably have little chance due to the tactical possibilities.
- Information about “Scout” at a glance
- Number of players: 2 to 5
- Age recommendation: from 12 (publisher information from 9)
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Publisher: Oink games
- Author: Kei Kajino
- Per:
- Original new game principle
- Entertaining and fast
- Good to take away and in between
- Cons:
- topic is irrelevant
- Editor’s rating: 9 out of 10 points
Conclusion: If you are looking for a good mix of tactics and card luck, this is the place for you. “Scout” brings an original and fun game principle to the table that works excellently and convinces with high-quality interaction with the opponents. It’s a great game that’s also fun for two.
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transparency notice: To test the game, the publisher provided us with a review copy without further conditions.
