In the last few months, some of us have probably resorted to some indoor game nights for some lockdown fun. But if you’re finding yourself getting a bit tired of slightly disturbing games of Cards Against Humanity with your family or insanely heated matches of UNO with your mates, then why not bust out these out at the next game night?
A new wave of introspective, deeply personal card games are here, a stark contrast from the superficial, fun-based games on the market. These games encourage you to form deeper connections with others, as well as yourself, and want their players to demonstrate vulnerability. The result? A cathartic experience that feels like a therapy session, with many epiphanies, revelations, laughs and tears. These games prompt you to ask questions that you’ve perhaps been too scared to ask yourself, and the people around you, using a format that we all know and love.
We’re Not Really Strangers
“We’re Not Really Strangers” is the perfect embodiment of the introspective card game. The game, released in November of 2018, encourages people to “make meaningful connections” and “deepen your existing relationships and create new ones.” The founder, Koreen Odiney, was inspired to create the game after having her heart broken, and finding solace in interviewing strangers and asking them about love and life.The WNRS Instagram boasts over 1.8 million followers and has birthed a social movement centred on vulnerability and openness – their feed is perfectly aesthetically curated, with pictures of billboards and signs displaying affirmations like “Stop Feeling Bad For Doing What’s Best For You” and “Your Boundary Doesn’t Need An Apology.”
The premise of the game is simple – everyone takes turns asking each other questions, starting from Level 1 and going all the way to Level 3. Level 1 is dubbed the “perception” level, as it based around impressions and assumptions, and how deep you go increases with each level. Finally, for the “final card,” players write a handwritten message to each other, but you can only read it once you have parted.
The game’s reviews are filled with high praises, raving about the times they’ve used it with family members or even an emotionally unavailable partner. We’re Not Really Strangers is the perfect way to dip your toes into these types of games, but as the website says, “warning: feelings may arise.”
ReFlex
If lockdown’s got you feeling especially introspective and has you in the mood for self-analysis, then ReFlex is for you. You might’ve heard of the game’s creator, Flex Mami, as developing card games are one of her many talents – she is a DJ, presenter, influencer and author. For ReFlex, critical thinking is the name of the game, as it is labelled a “self-development, psychology conversation card game.”
Flex Mami has even said that it’s an ideal game to play in lockdown – “I made ReFlex to help us connect and build intimacy with each other by asking a series of questions ranging from comical to character affirming. Perfect for a few weeks (or months!) of indoor social distancing,” she told Time Out.
The questions cover a range of topics including, love, life, death, politics, religion, purpose and career. If this sounds like something for you, you’re in luck as ReFlex has 2 installations – Flex Mami encourages people to start with Flex 1 to really get used to objective thinking and self-evaluation, and when you’re ready, you can move on to Flex 2, which teaches us to use our critical thinking skills in a fun way.
{THE AND}
{The And} is a card game produced by The Skin Deep, a creative studio which showcases human connections in the digital age. {The And} is also a series of videos on YouTube in which two people, whether it be strangers, lovers or family members, sit face-to-face and answer some personal questions – these videos often garner hundreds of thousands of views. The card game allows players to get that experience in real life, allowing them to deepen their connections with one another.
If you feel like answering deep, thought-provoking questions and displaying vulnerability has its time and place (it would be a bit strange to discuss your deepest secrets with someone you’ve just met), then The And has a perfect solution for you, as it has several installations for all different types of relationships: long-term couples, friends, family, strangers, dating, self, and even co-workers.
The last few months have undoubtedly been a great opportunity for us to get in touch with ourselves, our mental health and the relationships with those around us. After all, connection is what we’ve missed the most – games like these will remind us that connection is still important when this is all over.
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