A game of hilarious comparisons. Apples to Apples consists of two decks of cards: things and descriptions. Each round, the active player draws a description card (which features an adjective like "Hairy" or "Smarmy") from the deck, then the other players each secretly choose the thing card in hand that best matches that description and plays it face-down on the table. The active player then reveals these cards and chooses the thing card that, in his opinion, best matches the description card, which he awards to whoever played that thing card.
Players: 4-10, Time: 30 minutes
Exploding Kittens is a kitty-powered version of Russian Roulette. Players take turns drawing cards until someone draws an exploding kitten and loses the game. The deck is made up of cards that let you avoid exploding by peeking at cards before you draw, forcing your opponent to draw multiple cards, or shuffling the deck. The game gets more and more intense with each card you draw because fewer cards left in the deck means a greater chance of drawing the kitten and exploding in a fiery ball of feline hyperbole.
Players: 2-5, Time: 15-20 minutes
One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a fast-paced game where everyone gets to be a different role. In the course of only one night and the following morning, the players will determine who among them is a werewolf...hopefully. One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a microgame of the party game Ultimate Werewolf that doesn't need a moderator. There's no elimination, and each game lasts about 10 minutes. Each player gets a unique role: A Werewolf, Seer, Troublemaker, or another, all with special abilities. After a secret night phase that includes changing roles, players have just 5 minutes to find a Werewolf.
Players: 3-10, Time: 10-15 minutes
Note: Download the free iOS/Android app that makes playing incredibly engaging and addictive.
Download the iOS app
Download the Android app
How well do you know your friends? In A Question of Scruples (Scruples for short) players are asked how they will react in a certain situation where an ethical or moral choice is presented. The winner of the game is the first person to successfully guess how a player will react. Scruples requires 4 players to really work and can support up to twelve. A game can usually be played in an hour.
Players: 4-12, Time: 60 minutes
The Resistance is an exciting party game pitting a small group of resistance fighters against a powerful and corrupt nameless corporation. Players are randomly assigned roles each turn and then use deduction and drama to reveal the spies in their midst. Will the Resistance be able to uncover the spies in time to prevent sabotage? The game supports 5-10 players and can be played in 30 minutes. There is a built in expansion called "The Plot Thickens" in the game box.
The Library also has a companion game to The Resistance called Avalon. The rules of Avalon are pretty much the same as The Resistance, with a few minor changes. Avalon is set during the time of the Arthurian legends. Instead of battling a faceless corporation the good guys of Avalon are fighting against Mordred, the notorious traitor of King Arthur's round table.
Players: 5-10, Time: 30-60 minutes
Prince John is coming to Nottingham! As a fellow merchant, I am sure you can see why this is as an opportunity for us to sell goods in the bustling city during the Prince’s visit. However, we must first get our goods through the city gate, which is under the watch of the “honorable” Sheriff of Nottingham. Sheriff of Nottingham is a fun and engaging game where each player will have the chance to step into the shoes of the Sheriff himself. Other players, acting as Merchants will attempt to bring their goods into the city for profit. Beware though, while many may act as honest merchants, there is always the possibility of contraband being smuggled into the city! Experience Nottingham in a whole new way!.Declare your goods, deal with the Sheriff and secure victory in a fun-filled and exciting adventure!
Players: 3-5, Time: 60 minutes
Remember the "choose-your-own adventure" books of your childhood (those of you who grew up in the '80s and '90s probably do!)? Tales of the Arabian Nights is a choose-your-own adventure game for 2-6 players based on One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of West Asian stories and folk tales. You know, the stories of Aladdin's Lamp and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, or The Seven Voyages of Sinbad. What makes Tales so unique is that the player to the left of the active player is telling the story while the active player makes choices which are presented based on where the players game piece is on the board and what dice combinations are rolled. The game is usually played over a couple of hours but can be shortened if the players agree on new victory conditions. The consequences of one's actions are often hilarious and always entertaining.
Players: 2-6, Time: 60-120 minutes
1982..., what a year, Helmut Kohl replaced Helmut Schmidt as Chancellor of West Germany (yes, there used to be two Germanys), daylight savings time is introduced in the Soviet Union (oh, wait, maybe that was 1981), the Weather Channel is launched on U.S. cable television, and Trivial Pursuit is released in the U.S. by two Canadians. For the rest of the decade (and beyond) Trivial Pursuit was the ultimate party game, especially among college students.
Players: 2-12, Time: 90 minutes