I can’t draw. I’ve tried. I can tell you how to find the missing side of a right triangle using Pathagorem’s theorem, but I can’t cut along dotted lines to save my life. At first, I was a bit weary of previewing a game that tasks you to draw…but once I read that you’ll be using a blindfold, I was IN. I had no excuse for drawing poorly before, but now…NOW it’s the blindfold’s fault! Totally not mine…yeah, we’ll go with that.
“You Said You Could Draw” is a 4-8 player game that supports ages 8+ and has an average play time of 60 minutes. It’ll be seeking funding through the Kickstarter process mid-May, 2021. Before we begin I’m required to note per FTC regulations that I was paid to cover this game, but any and all opinion contained here are my own.
Components
My copy came with 8 dry-erase boards, 8 dry erase markers, 1 scoreboard, 1 die, 100 cards, 1 big drawing board, 1 blindfold, and 1 rulebook (roughly 4 pages). It didn’t feel like a prototype copy which is great, but it’s possible that the Kickstarter campaign may introduce more than what I was given for preview purposes. Stretch goals are often a thing, after all.
Setup
To set up the game, each player gets a smaller erase board and marker. They will then write their names on the scoreboard in the area appropriate to the color of their erase board. Players roll the die to determine who becomes the first artist.
Gameplay
The artist takes the large drawing board and blindfold, as well as the first card. The card contains 6 things to draw with a 1-6 pip value next to each. The artist rolls the 6-sided die to determine what they will draw. Younger players can forgo rolling the die and instead pick the word they want. When ready, the artist puts on the blindfold and begins to draw. Other players may NOT see the drawing process.
Once finished, the artist will secretly write a player’s name on their own small board as a prediction as to who they feel would guess the object correctly (for bonus points). The artist then reveals the drawing to everyone. Based on the level of difficulty, clues may or may not be given.
EASY – The artist gives the first letter of the word as a clue and can tell players if it is one word or two.
MEDIUM – On alternate rounds, the artist can give a first letter clue only.
HARD – No clues.
The other players will secretly write on their own boards what they think the artist drew. Everyone then reveals their answer and points awarded accordingly.
1 point for the artist if at least one player guessed correctly.
1 point bonus for the artist if their secretly chosen person guessed correctly.
1 point for all players who guessed the correct answer.
3 points (the star marked word) for the artist and all players who guessed correctly.
-2 points to the player who was the only one not to guess correctly.
Turns alternate clockwise until someone reaches 20 points…the person who does so immediately wins the game!
The above doesn’t cover everything found in the rulebook, but should give you an idea as to how the game is played.
Final Thoughts
Firstly I want to commend the developer for sending me a copy that was darn-near perfection. I usually get prototype copies that are very bare bones (understandable, it’s an expensive business)…this copy felt like something that was already retailing. I checked and couldn’t find it retailing anywhere. Physically, the game gave me “Say Anything” vibes, what with the eraser boards and social interaction.
The cards themselves were varied. At 100 cards and 12 words a card (6 words per side), you’re looking at 1200 words total…well, some entries have two or more words that relate to one answer (Ship in a bottle, etc.) but you get the idea. I like that each card has a stared word introducing a high risk, high reward feature. Some examples of the words included are Desk, Blizzard, Hurricane, Wig, Wind, Scorpion, Black Eye, Whip Cream, Peter Pan, Fingerprint, Caveman, Drum, Meow, and Root Beer. Like I said, varied.
I have to admit that this game still gave me some anxiety. While I could blame the blindfold this time on crappy art skills, I still felt like I would have a disadvantage over someone who was very artistic. I do applaud the idea of the blindfold though as it makes players a bit more level in playing field, but I can’t imagine myself drawing most of these with the blindfold OFF let alone on. Perhaps the “choose any of the 6 on a card” rule for younger players should be extended to those like myself who are artistically challenged.
That being said, stressing over the fact that I can’t draw isn’t the aim here and I recognize that. Like the aforementioned “Say Anything”, this game is meant to be played for the laughs. When I sit and think about “You Said You Could Draw”, I imagine a large group of family and/or friends getting together drawing crazy things and laughing their behinds off. Games like “Apples to Apples” and “Say Anything” are highly successful because of that social aspect. This game gives me the same sense of light-hearted casual family-friendly fun.
I don’t review preview builds and prototypes, but I do encourage social gamers and families to check this out. I’d love to see a Tabletop Simulator or digital version at some point so that more folks can enjoy this type of game in the world’s current state of encouraged social distancing.
Kickstarter: Link
—