By June Ramli
Perth, Aug 26: Hitster and Flip 7: With a Vengeance appear ready to bring music, risk and competition to game night, but both share one essential requirement: other people.
I recently received complimentary copies of both games for review. My first impression was positive, with sturdy packaging, good-quality cards and clear presentation. However, I have not been able to conduct a full playtest because I do not currently have anyone available to play them with.
Hitster combines a physical card game with music streamed through its mobile app. Players scan a card to hear a song before deciding where it belongs on a chronological musical timeline.
Players do not necessarily need to identify the exact release year. In the standard mode, they must decide whether a song was released before, after or between the cards already placed in their timeline. The first player to correctly position 10 cards wins.
The concept is simple and immediately appealing, particularly for people who enjoy music, trivia and testing their memories across different decades. Its combination of cards, an app and familiar songs gives it the potential to become an entertaining party game.
The app works with Spotify, although Spotify Premium provides the most seamless experience. A smartphone and internet connection are required to scan the cards and play the music.
Flip 7: With a Vengeance is a standalone sequel built around a press-your-luck card system. Players reveal cards one at a time but lose their points for the round if they turn over the same number twice.
The game adds more aggressive player interaction through action cards that can steal cards, force opponents to draw or reduce their scores. Players must decide whether to bank their accumulated points or continue drawing in pursuit of a larger reward.
Designed for at least three players aged eight and above, a game is expected to take about 20 minutes. Its compact box and 108-card deck make it easy to store or take to gatherings.
Of the two, Hitster appears suited to a lively group of music lovers, while Flip 7: With a Vengeance offers a faster and more competitive card-game experience.
The physical quality of both games is good, and their concepts are easy to understand. However, it would be misleading to deliver a final verdict on the gameplay without completing a proper session.
For now, both games will remain ready for my next gathering. They look promising, but I need to find some willing players before discovering whether they are as enjoyable in practice as they appear in the box.
Hitster and Flip 7: With a Vengeance were supplied to DailyStraits.com on a complimentary basis for review.
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