Quick Look: NObjects
LDesigner: Ludovic Gimet
Artist: Claus Stephan
Publisher: Pegasus Spiele
Year Published: 2019
No. of Players: 3–6
Ages: 8+
Playing Time: 15–30 minutes
Artist: Claus Stephan
Publisher: Pegasus Spiele
Year Published: 2019
No. of Players: 3–6
Ages: 8+
Playing Time: 15–30 minutes
Review
A
seemingly simple game of drawing pictures for other people to guess is given a
twist to complicate your artistic talent, or make it better.
seemingly simple game of drawing pictures for other people to guess is given a
twist to complicate your artistic talent, or make it better.
NObjects is a competitive and cooperative game. Players take turns drawing a picture for
everyone else to guess, and the person who guesses correct answer first scores a
point along with the artist. To draw your masterpiece, you use your finger on
the tabletop. No paper, no pencils, and preferably no salt scattered on the
surface before starting.
everyone else to guess, and the person who guesses correct answer first scores a
point along with the artist. To draw your masterpiece, you use your finger on
the tabletop. No paper, no pencils, and preferably no salt scattered on the
surface before starting.
You
advance through three skill levels as you get closer to a winning score. The
required creativity of both the artist and their connoisseurs create for some
interesting guesses of what is being invisibly sketched out.
advance through three skill levels as you get closer to a winning score. The
required creativity of both the artist and their connoisseurs create for some
interesting guesses of what is being invisibly sketched out.
 |
| The starting layout. |
Setup
Divide
the 120 concept cards into the three categories of difficulty: green, yellow,
and red. The decks are shuffled and placed face-down on the table to keep the
objects to be drawn hidden until your table’s Van Gogh creates their work.
the 120 concept cards into the three categories of difficulty: green, yellow,
and red. The decks are shuffled and placed face-down on the table to keep the
objects to be drawn hidden until your table’s Van Gogh creates their work.
Place
the single die within easy reach.
the single die within easy reach.
After
we started, we found it was helpful to move the decks and the dice to the side
to give the artist, drawing their wonderful creation, more room to work. This
also made it easier for others to “see” the drawing.
we started, we found it was helpful to move the decks and the dice to the side
to give the artist, drawing their wonderful creation, more room to work. This
also made it easier for others to “see” the drawing.
 |
| Some of the Green Level |
Gameplay
On
your turn, draw from the appropriate pile. You only need 6 points to win the
game so if you have zero or 1 point, draw from the green deck. When your
score is 2, 3, or 4, draw a yellow card. When you have 5, you’re drawing a red
one.
your turn, draw from the appropriate pile. You only need 6 points to win the
game so if you have zero or 1 point, draw from the green deck. When your
score is 2, 3, or 4, draw a yellow card. When you have 5, you’re drawing a red
one.
Each
card contains six items. Roll the die and get ready to draw that item.
card contains six items. Roll the die and get ready to draw that item.
As
you draw, it’s a free-for-all as everyone else guesses what it is. There are a
few rules to limit how you interact with your audience, such as no talking,
gesturing, or pantomiming.
you draw, it’s a free-for-all as everyone else guesses what it is. There are a
few rules to limit how you interact with your audience, such as no talking,
gesturing, or pantomiming.
You
can play NObjects with or without a timer. It can be used to give a limit from
the beginning, or added to a round to limit the continuous action. We played
without one by using the rule that the round ended when someone either guessed
the correct answer, or everyone decided to pass.
can play NObjects with or without a timer. It can be used to give a limit from
the beginning, or added to a round to limit the continuous action. We played
without one by using the rule that the round ended when someone either guessed
the correct answer, or everyone decided to pass.
When
the right response is given, the drawer and the guesser both earn a point. Points
are tracked by the cards; the drawer keeps the card they were drawing as a
point and the guesser draws a card and places it in front of them to show a
point. See? You don’t even need paper and pencil to track your score!
the right response is given, the drawer and the guesser both earn a point. Points
are tracked by the cards; the drawer keeps the card they were drawing as a
point and the guesser draws a card and places it in front of them to show a
point. See? You don’t even need paper and pencil to track your score!
If
everyone passes on the drawing, the card is discarded.
everyone passes on the drawing, the card is discarded.
The
next person is now up to the easel with their magic-finger marker.
next person is now up to the easel with their magic-finger marker.
 |
| Yellow Level |
Theme
and Mechanics
and Mechanics
There
isn’t much more to say about this category other than what has already been
said.
isn’t much more to say about this category other than what has already been
said.
The
theme of the drawing is dictated by the cards and the number on the die, while
the mechanic is your index finger while everyone else guesses what you’re
depicting.
theme of the drawing is dictated by the cards and the number on the die, while
the mechanic is your index finger while everyone else guesses what you’re
depicting.
The
simplicity of the presentation of NObjects was liked by everyone, even if they
didn’t want to put their skills as an artist to the test.
simplicity of the presentation of NObjects was liked by everyone, even if they
didn’t want to put their skills as an artist to the test.
 |
| Red Level |
Artwork
and Components
and Components
The
components are a double deck of cards and a 6-sided die. While the artwork is
created during the game.
components are a double deck of cards and a 6-sided die. While the artwork is
created during the game.
The
Good
Good
- Everyone
is playing all the time - Cabin game (easy to take with you and can be played anywhere)
- Running
commentary was good for a laughs during and after the game
Final
Thoughts
Thoughts
Afterwe finished a couple of rounds of NObjects, everyone started loosening up. At
first there was a level of dread about drawing stick figures, which it turns
out work very well in this game. As the difficulty of the drawings increased,
the wilder the guessing became. This is when everyone started seeing the fun
beyond the “work of drawing.”
Drawing
started to focus in like a game of charades with drawing instead of acting.
You can’t draw numbers or letters, but what usually worked better was starting
with a larger concept and then honing in on the object of desire by focusing in
from the larger picture. One of the red list items we ran into this worked for
was “Caterpillar.” We were brought from a flower, to the stem, to the bug on
the stem.
started to focus in like a game of charades with drawing instead of acting.
You can’t draw numbers or letters, but what usually worked better was starting
with a larger concept and then honing in on the object of desire by focusing in
from the larger picture. One of the red list items we ran into this worked for
was “Caterpillar.” We were brought from a flower, to the stem, to the bug on
the stem.
Players
Who Like
Who Like
- Group
activity games - Guessing
games - Pictionary
- Charades
Check out NObjects on:
Daniel Yocom – Reviewer
Daniel Yocom does geeky things by night because his day job won’t let him. This dates back to the 1960s through games, books, movies, and stranger things better shared in small groups. He’s written hundreds of articles about these topics for his own blog, other websites, and magazines along with stories, after extensive research. His research includes attending conventions, sharing on panels and presentations, and road-tripping with his wife. Join in the geeky fun at guildmastergaming@blogspot.com.
See Daniel’s reviews HERE.
