COUP (2012)

PLAYERS	TIME	DESIGNER	PUBLISHER
2-6	15 mins	Rikki Tahta	Indie Boards & Cards

In this 2-6 player Bluffing and Deduction game, you’ll be using abilities to remove Influence (represented by two face down cards) from your opponents to be the last person standing.

Each of your face down cards show one of five characters, each with an ability. But the beauty of this game is that only you know what you’ve got.

Each turn you’ll be able to claim credits, but how many you take depends on who you’re claiming to be, and more importantly, if anyone claims to have a card that can block you.

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And that’s the beauty of this game. Remembering who you’ve claimed to be (if you’re bluffing) and pinning down what everyone else says they are.

From Dukes that can claim more money, Captains that will steal it from you, Ambassadors swap cards, Assassin’s taking you out and Contessas blocking them, it’s a lot to keep track of when you have a full game.

And on top of that, if someone reaches 7 credits, they can commit a Coup and automatically remove one of your cards from the game, making you 50% closer to defeat.

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Like a lot of these sorts of games, COUP is improved greatly by higher player counts and the right people. If everyone is paying attention and playing their bluffs right, it is a lot of fun.

And who’s to say you have to bluff. I’ve had some great games where I’ve played it straight and fooled people because previous games saw me trying to deceive.

It rewards multiple plays and return visits from the same group.

But when people aren’t clicking with it, or they just all work to reach 7 credits and don’t mess around with the abilities, it grows stale very quick. I’ve taught the game a lot, but some people don’t always ‘get’ it.

COUP is a good game to have on you due to its simple components and quick play time. No play surface is needed so it can be played anywhere. And when it clicks, it’s one of the best bluffing games around.