Ahoy, mateys! Gather ’round as I spin ye a yarn ’bout the most treacherous and entertaining card game to ever set sail from the harbours of Cheatwell Games and Outset Media: Skullduggery! This be no ordinary deck of cards, for its filled with the spirit of the Golden Age of Piracy, a time when the seas were ruled by the likes of Blackbeard and Calico Jack, and the Jolly Roger flew high above the waves.
Now, let me tell ye ’bout this gem of a game. Skullduggery be a game for 2-6 scallywags or seasoned sea dogs, suitable for those as young as eight years old. It’s a swift voyage, with the game takin’ round no more than a quarter of an hour. Inside this compact chest of treasures, ye’ll find 55 cards, includin’ a quick reference card, and 12 Skullduggery tokens, six of ’em red and six blue.
In the box:
- 55 Cards (includes Quick Reference card)
- 12 Skullduggery Tokens (6 Left – Red / 6 Right – Blue)
- Instructions
The aim of the game be simple: all yer need to do is assemble the highest four-digit number from yer cards to claim the booty. But beware, me hearties, for this be no simple feat! Ye can’t be peekin’ at all yer cards, and they can be plundered or swapped faster than ye can say “Shiver me timbers!” Ye’ll need a sharp mind and a sharper strategy to outwit yer mates and emerge as the most cunning pirate on the high seas (or at least yer kitchen table).
The game’s box may be as small as a parrot’s beak, but don’t let its size fool ye. It’s brimmin’ with fun that’ll have ye and yer crew hoistin’ the mainsail for more. It’s perfect for takin’ along on yer travels, whether ye be headin’ to Grandma’s or marooned on a deserted isle during the family holiday.
Skullduggery be a memory game that’ll test even the most experienced pirates among us. Ye’ll be tryin’ to remember where the high and low cards be, all while tryin’ to manipulate yer own and yer opponents’ lineups. And if ye be clever enough, ye might just use the actions triggered by the cards ye discard to yer advantage. Hold on to a Spyglass card, and ye might just be able to end the game when ye deduce ye’re in the leadin’ position.
Here be the lay of the land: each pirate starts with a hidden treasure trove of four cards, face-down, like the mysterious depths of the Mariana Trench. At the start of this grand adventure, ye be allowed a sneaky peek at yer two middle cards – but just once, mind ye, so make it count! The goal, as any worthy pirate knows, is to amass the highest four-digit number to claim the booty when all cards are revealed at the end of the game.
To set sail on the seas of treachery, the youngest player doesn’t necessarily get to walk the plank – the best pirate impression gets to start the adventure of card manipulation. If yer pirate talk isn’t up to scratch and the parrot has gone mute, ye could use phrases such as:
- Ahoy, me matey!
- Shiver me timbers
- Aye, aye, captain
- Avast, ye scurvy dog
- Walk the plank, ye scallywag
Or ye could come up with yer own.
On yer turn, ye draw a card from the deck, laden with numbers and actions. Now, ye have a choice that would flummox even Davy Jones himself: discard the card to unleash its action or swap it with one of yer face-down cards, sending the replaced card to Davy Jones’ Locker (also known as the discard pile). But that’s not all, me hearty! Once per game, ye can meddle with the card lineup of the pirate to yer left and the scurvy dog to yer right, replacing one of their cards with one from yer hand.
The actions on the cards be as unpredictable as a Caribbean storm. ‘Pass Left’ and ‘Pass Right’ will have ye and yer crew passin’ cards like a hot potato, while ‘Switch’ let’s ye swap yer own cards with the agility of Jack Sparrow. ‘Peek’ and ‘Sneak’ be your trusty spyglass, giving ye a glimpse of the unknown, and ‘Spyglass’ – well, that be the card that can end it all, revealing the middle cards and bringing the game to a sudden halt when the third one is discarded.
Skullduggery be a true test of memory, especially when ye be playin’ with a full crew of six. Ye’ll need to remember where the high and low cards be buried, and use yer wits to manipulate yer own lineup and sabotage yer opponents’. A skilled pirate will also keep an eye on the actions triggered by the cards they discard, and may even hoard a Spyglass card to end the game on their terms when they reckon they’re holdin’ the winning hand.
Overall, Skullduggery is a fun game of strategy, memory and pirate treachery. If ye be lookin’ for a game that’s as lively as a barrel of monkeys and as cutthroat as a duel on the poop deck, look no further than Skullduggery. It’s won the hearts of landlubbers and sea dogs alike, even takin’ home the ‘People’s Choice Award’ for Best General Card Game at the UK Games Expo 2024. So, what be ye waitin’ for? Grab yer mates, set the course, and let the game of piratical pilfering begin!
This be a game not just for any old sea dog, but for the craftiest of pirates who can navigate the treacherous waters of memory and strategy.
Batten down the hatches and prepare for a game that’s as quick as it is devious, perfect for a family gathering or as a filler between plunderin’ and pillagin’. Skullduggery be a game that’ll test the mettle of any pirate, young or old, and leave ye wantin’ to play again and again. So, weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen, me hearties, for a game of Skullduggery awaits!
And remember, in the words of the most infamous pirates: “Take what ye can, give nothin’ back!” Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!
Rating: 4/5
RRP: £10
For more information, visit cheatwell.com. Available to buy from Amazon here.
