Tattoo Stories, a new offering from the iconic Bicycle Playing Cards brand, injects a dose of creative fun into the party game genre. Born from market research identifying a strong correlation between playing card purchases and board game acquisition, Bicycle has ventured into the tabletop industry with a surprising and engaging experience. While the initial corporate logic might suggest a simple cash grab, Tattoo Stories proves to be a genuinely enjoyable and innovative game that has garnered praise at events like PAX Unplugged and among friends at home.
Setting Up Shop: Quality Components
Upon unboxing Tattoo Stories, players will find a set of high-quality components designed for repeated use. The dry-erase boards are sturdy and provide a clean erasing surface, essential for quick drawing sessions. Although the markers are on the smaller side, they function effectively, making them suitable for most hand sizes. The game also includes a deck of 220 cards, each featuring a word or short phrase that serves as a prompt for tattoo designs. These cards are durable and feel good in hand, despite their compact size. The game’s instruction manual is concise, consisting of just two pages, but effectively outlines the gameplay.
Get Inking: The Gameplay Loop
The premise of Tattoo Stories is straightforward and encourages creative expression. In each round, one player takes on the role of the “customer,” who selects five prompt cards from a draw of ten. The remaining players then have three minutes to draw a tattoo concept that incorporates these five chosen elements. During this time, artists can ask the customer clarifying questions to better understand their vision, but they are strictly forbidden from erasing their drawings, forcing them to commit to their artistic choices.
Once the time limit expires, each player presents their tattoo drawing. The customer then awards points by giving a card to the player they believe best incorporated that specific element into their design. A single player could potentially receive all five cards, or none at all. The role of the customer then passes to the next player, and the game continues until each player has had the opportunity to be the customer twice. The player with the most cards at the end of the game is declared the winner, although, like many party games, the playtime can be flexible based on the group’s preference.
The true joy of Tattoo Stories lies in the often hilarious and unexpected drawings that emerge, and the creative justifications players devise for their artwork. The game thrives on its absurdity; prompts can range from simple objects like “pizza” to more abstract concepts like “historically significant quote,” leading to wonderfully bizarre tattoo designs. Artistic skill is not a prerequisite for enjoyment; in fact, a lack of drawing talent often enhances the comedic value of the game.
Replayability is a strong suit for Tattoo Stories, thanks to the vast number of card combinations possible. With 220 cards, each round utilizing five prompts, the potential for unique scenarios is nearly limitless.
A potential limitation of Tattoo Stories as a party game is the inclusion of only six dry-erase boards and markers. This restricts the maximum number of players to seven (as the customer doesn’t draw), unlike games with higher player caps. While additional dry-erase supplies can be purchased separately, increasing the player count may extend round times and dilute point-scoring opportunities.
A Game For Everyone
Tattoo Stories offers a fun and engaging experience for a wide age range, suitable for anyone who can comfortably hold a marker. Children can exercise their creativity and drawing skills, while adults will appreciate the humor derived from outlandish tattoo concepts and their accompanying defenses. The game also allows for adult humor, enabling players to create designs as offensive as they wish, should their group prefer that style of play.
Priced at a reasonable $19.99, Tattoo Stories presents excellent value for those seeking a fresh party game or an entertaining activity to share with family and friends.