So Very Wrong About Games Rulebooks
Oct 21, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of rulebooks! The hosts explore the enduring debate between permissive and restrictive rules. They share impressions of various games, praising Galactic Renaissance and critiquing The Guest’s confusing rulebook. Highlights include Gaslands Refuelled's thrilling gameplay and Cockroach Poker's clever bluffing. They also emphasize the importance of well-organized rulebooks with clear teaching and the pitfalls of poor translations. Plus, discover which rulebooks stand out for their clarity and effectiveness!
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Episode notes
Guest Rulebook Caused Misplayed Turns
- Mike and Mark played The Guest and found the rulebook vague about turn order and game type.
- The unclear rules led to counterintuitive player elimination and a gameplay feel closer to take-that than deduction.
Real-Time Co-op Overloaded By Setup
- Mark and Mike played Firefighters on Duty and found the setup and upkeep extremely heavy for short real-time rounds.
- The heavy upkeep made the game feel like it was "playing them" rather than them playing it.
Organize Rules Around Player Actions
- Structure rulebooks around the player's turn and chronology to teach gameplay effectively.
- Put setup first, then turn actions in order, then endgame and scoring to make learning and referencing easier.
