Quick Look: Blank Me
Designer: Kyle Crane
Publisher: Silverspire Games LLC
Year Published: 2023 (Currently Live on Kickstarter, link at the bottom)
No. of Players: 4+
Ages: 17+
Playing Time: 10+ Minutes (As long as you want).
I accepted this review copy to support a fellow Canadian designer. I haven’t covered a lot of party games and they make up less than 5% of games that I’ve played. Suffice it to say, party games are not my go-to when I am searching for a new game. The reason isn’t that I don’t like them, I just find them harder to get to the table amongst adult gamers and as I play with a lot of strangers, the atmosphere doesn’t always feel right to approach a party game. In any event, I got this party game to the table, and it wasn’t what I thought it was, but it worked out better than expected. Let’s unbox it below.
From the Publisher:
Blank Me is a monologue-reading party game with a simple rule set, fast rounds and big laughs.
Using a short prompt, three players contribute responses to a hidden monologue that is then read aloud or (ideally) performed with gusto by an unsuspecting fourth. Responses get their meaning from the monologue so things get hilarious and mature, making this game 17+.
Disclaimer: The publisher provided the prototype copy of Blank Me. The opinions expressed in the review are completely my own.
Review:
Initial Impression/Components:
Well, an honest response is that from the look of the outside of the box, I was not looking forward to playing it. As mentioned, I knew selling strangers on a party game was going to be tough but when it looks like it does and is titled like that, it mightn’t make any fans. I opened it and did like the square cards and how they were designed to use a specific side for different word types. It does have a LOT of cards and considering each card has four sides, there are a ton of possible combinations.
Surprisingly, not only was it easy to find a group for this at a local game shop, they were on board pretty much immediately with no persuasion necessary.
Favorite:
The use of each side of a card as different word types was a great way to maximize use of cards and added replayability.
Least Favorite:
I had some minor issues with the rule sheet but as I had received a prototype, there had been changes that look to have been resolved on the pdf I was sent.
– Acting
– Layering
– Simultaneous action selection
– Storytelling
– Drafting (Blank Yourself variant)
Rules:
The rules are really basic. In short, you get a monologue and 5 word/phrase cards you are aware of roughly what the monologue will be about and need to choose a word/phrase for each blank on the card. Once all blanks have been accounted for, you flip the monologues over and take turns reading them out using the inserted words in place of the blanks.
Areas they did well:
• Edgy and unapologetic
• No point system required (this is especially great if people want to join in on a game in progress)
• Well designed / multi use cards
• Specific word types for each blank so that the stories always make sense, even if a bit odd
• Words/phrases/monologues felt pretty unique
• Impressive amount of words, monologues and combinations that could be used.
Areas they could have improved:
• I thought the box design was lacking.
• This isn’t on the game itself but a lot of content I found was self-made. I would have liked to see more community interaction, convention visits, and coverage, etc. for this kind of product.
• Can easily offend multiple people for multiple reasons. If you are playing this with someone who is easily offended, you might as well set up a video camera because it’s going to go south real quick.
• Will be a flop if players aren’t going to play along and get ridiculous with you.
Overall:
I got to say, this went better than I thought and really was good for some laughs. What’s more surprising is that I’ll likely break this out the next time I have some friends over. I’m usually down for some ridiculous, random fun. The game is as short or long as you want it to be and seeing it’s really quick to set up, explain, and put away, it has all the makings of a good (ADULT) party game. I do need to urge you to listen to the rating on the box because kids should not be introduced to the subject matter.
Final Thoughts:
Leave your feelings at the door, bring your belly laughs, and get ready to Blank ME.
If you have a twisted sense of humor and are not afraid to share it with your friends, you will get a kick out of this game. One of the playtesters in my group said it was like if Cards Against Humanity and Mad Libs had a baby and I don’t disagree with that. If you’d like to check out more on this title, head over to their Kickstarter page or website and get more details. At present, they are about halfway through the campaign and halfway funded so I’m sending some good vibes their way for a successful finish.
I’ll see you next time, back here at The Game Table,
Brad Hiscock, aka Zerility
Here’s a link to their website and Kickstarter page:
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Brad Hiscock, aka “Zerility”, is a construction project manager and electrician by trade who was the owner of a 6-time award winning electrical company. His passion for board games has led him from playing hundreds of original titles to creating a design and publishing company of his own, Convivial Games. As an up and coming collaborator on many projects, he is always eager to try new games and meet new people.
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All of Brad Hiscock, aka “Zerility”‘s reviews can be found HERE.
