Think Pictionary, but 3D
Glyphics is a party game that comes with 150 cards and 40 random pieces for you to try out your best artist attempt. When the pieces click, it feels like magic. Other times? You're staring at a pile of shapes, doubting every artistic decision you've ever made.
One player becomes the Builder and chooses a prompt from their card. You announce whether you're building a noun, verb, or phrase, then you have 60 seconds to use the pieces to create your masterpiece while everyone else tries to figure out what you're making. The cards give you plenty of options, but your artistry may not sync up with your audience. You can't talk or make sound effects, act out the answer, or spell it with the pieces. You have to let your creation do the talking. You can, however, move the pieces around, which opens up a lot more creativity than I expected. People get so creative.
Sometimes the pieces come together and you immediately know what you're doing. Other times, especially when you're tackling a phrase, you have to get really creative with how you're going to communicate the idea. One of my friends took that creativity to a whole different level. He wasn't just arranging the pieces into a picture. He was moving them around and using them almost like a silent performance. That's probably my favorite part of Glyphics. Everyone looks at the same random pieces and comes up with something completely different.
How to Play
Set out the 40 building pieces and give everyone a card. Each card has six prompts, and that card stays with you for the game.
On your turn, you're the Builder. Choose one of your prompts and announce whether it is a noun, verb, or phrase. Start the 60 second timer and get building. The Builder can't talk, make sound effects, spell the answer with the pieces, or act it out.
Everyone else becomes a Guesser and starts shouting out answers. If someone guesses correctly, both the Builder and the person who guessed earn points. Then the next player gets a turn.
How to Win
Both the Builder and Guesser get points. If someone correctly guesses your noun or verb, earn 1 point. Correctly guessed phrases are worth 2 points. After five rounds, the player with the most points wins.
Who's This Game For?
Glyphics is a good fit for people who like Pictionary, guessing games, charades, or anything that lets you get a little ridiculous around the table. You don't have to be good at drawing, which is a huge plus for me. Instead of worrying about whether you can draw a recognizable thing, you're trying to figure out how a triangle, circle, squiggle, and a couple of other completely unrelated pieces can somehow come together. I've used this game as a team building event. You might think your creation is incredibly obvious while everyone else is looking at it like you've lost your mind . . . and then! Someone guesses it and suddenly you're a genius.
Bottom Line
Glyphics is basically Pictionary without the pencil. Sometimes it works beautifully. Sometimes it absolutely does not. But that's where the fun is. I really enjoy seeing how differently people approach the same clues. One person might build a simple picture, while someone else turns their pieces into a full silent performance. Somehow, both work. Glyphics is not about being the best artist. It's about figuring out how to communicate an idea with whatever you happen to have in front of you. And considering this was Eric Olsen's first published game, it's a pretty interesting place to start my journey through his entire catalog.
Recommendations
One of my favorite things about reviewing games is figuring out where they fit. So if you've played Glyphics, or you're looking for something with a similar vibe, here are a few I'd put in the same conversation, depending on what you're looking for:
A different kind of creative guessing: Pictures
If you like the creative side of Glyphics and watching people come up with completely different ways to represent the same idea, Pictures is a great next step.
Want to make it harder: Pictomania
Everyone is drawing and guessing at the same time, so you're trying to figure out everyone else's drawings while hoping they can figure out yours.
Want to work together: Magic Maze
If your favorite part of Glyphics is trying to communicate without actually being able to say what you mean, Magic Maze has everyone working together, but once the game starts, you can't communicate with each other. Good luck.
Want chaos?: 5-Minute Dungeon
For the ones trying to keep the teamwork but add a serious time crunch. Everyone works together in real time to get through the dungeon before the timer runs out. There are no turns, so good luck keeping everyone organized.
About the Author
Coty is a board game blogger, reviewer, and accidental LEGO art collector. When she’s not
testing rulebooks or trying to beat her wife at two-player games, she’s playing ice hockey. More Than Flip 7: Discovering Glyphics Eric Olsen’s First Game Follow her adventures on Instagram or read more at KaCo Plays.
