2007 was a challenging year for my household emotionally and financially. Due to the former I decided that "board games" were going to be a primary focus under the tree as with each came the implied promise of increased family time. However, because of the later I was forced to do much of my shopping via clearance sales.
I am so very grateful to Amazon.com where I was able, after much hunting and pecking, to find many great toys at marked down prices. I came across Whoonu at the clearance price of $5.99 and scooped it up without thinking twice. Since it normally sells on Amazon.com for $14.99 and directly through Cranium.com for $19.99 it was a "no brainer" even if it served no other purpose than filling space under the tree.
The game
Packaged in a sturdy tin the game is simply put together. It includes:
- 300 game cards
- 36 scoring tokens (6 each, numbered 1-6)
- a "secret envelope"
Each game card is printed with something that a person might like or dislike. It could be a food item, an activity, or even a piece of technology.
Cards range from sunbathing to skim milk, cell phones to the color red, reading to racketball.
Who can play?
This is a great game for families to play. It makes a great party game for kids, teens, and even young-at-heart adults to play at parties. There are always surprises in store no matter how well you think you know the people you are playing with.
But, beyond that, it is also a great ice breaker game for people who have just met. As such it would make a great game for teachers to use in the classroom during the first day of school.
How to play based on playing with 3 or 4 players
The object of the game is to try and guess each other's favorite things.
Place the chips in piles sorted by their point value.
On each round one person is the "Whoozit", the person who's favorites are to be guessed at. The other players are dealt 4 cards and choose 2 to be placed in the "secret envelope" that they feel best match the likings of the Whoozit.
The Whoozit then arranges these cards in order of preference and places them in order of least favorite to most favorite in front of the tokens numbered 1 to 6 and points are awarded accordingly with each player taking the token that corresponds to the placement of the card they put in the Whoozit's envelope.
Play continues with each person, going around clockwise, has a chance to be the Whoozit. The person with the highest total of points "wins".
It is a quick game to play and you can easily play 2 complete rounds in about 30 minutes, making it easy to squeeze in a little quality time while dinner heats in the oven or just before bedtime.
Nitpicking Negative
Honestly ... there aren't enough cards. Not that I can complain for the price I paid but I would've liked to have seen the game come with at least twice as many. At the very least I wish that there were add-on packs available to add to the longevity of the game.
With an average game of 4 players you will go through 36 cards. Play this game 9 times and you will have seen all the cards. Half of the fun comes with the surprise of the cards you are dealt and having to quickly decide who, if anyone will like them enough to score them high.
Overall
I have to say that this humble game wound up being one of my better purposes this year.
We played twice in the week since Christmas. Once with 4 players and once with 3. Both games were filled with laughter as more often than not the cards one was dealt bore little resemblance to the tastes of the round's Whoozit. It was also interesting to learn, even with one's own children or spouse exactly what things ranked highest (or lowest) in terms of likes and dislikes.
But, the best part is that this is a game that manages to get kids and their parents laughing together but also talking. It opens up the lines of communication and that is so very important whether your child is 6 or 16.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 5.99 Type of Toy: Game
Age Range of Child: Kids to Teens
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