Basic Gameplay
Things in Rings is a party game like you’ve never seen it before. It uses Venn diagrams to elicit joy and laughter as well as utter bafflement in players all at the same time. Don’t let me lose you here, this is not some kind of workplace ice breaking game although a variation on this would work brilliantly I would wager.
A Venn diagram works by offering categories that can overlap, and each coloured circle has its own rule related to context (where you find it or how you use it), attribute (colour, weight, size) This is a game that requires someone to run the game, the “Knower”. Unsurprisingly, they know what the secret rules are, and are in charge of ensuring that all the item cards are placed in the correct positions in the Venn diagram.
All the other players are in the dark as to what the rules are for each coloured circle. They must deduce from the item cards already placed what they suspect the secret rules are and try to place their items in the correct location in the Venn diagram. Get it right and you get another go, but get it wrong and not only is your turn over, but you also have to draw another card into your hand. You’re racing to get rid of all your cards first to win.
Components
Things in Rings is really basic in what it needs and so you just have some small mini cards and three loops to make the Venn diagram. Although there isn’t much to it, I really like the bright graphics across the game. The images are pretty clear in what they are depicting which is important to note at a glance and the graphics give a fun and whimsical look.
Replayability
The rule combination is changed depending on how difficult you want the game to be. You can select 1, 2, or 3 stars difficulty in each of the three colours which offers a whole host of replayability. The likelihood of the three rules being repeated is slim but add into that the huge stack of item cards that can be used, then I think you’ll never see two games with remotely the same feel to them!
Round Up
If you’re looking for a good looking party game to play with your pals or family that will help everyone to get to know each other better with some snacks a drink or two, then I think Things in Rings could be for you! This has now been moved to my “play with everyone” shelf which are games I feel I could teach quickly to my non gaming friends.
