Smitten

Smitten is a small cooperative game for one or two players. Stonemaier Games made it to celebrate its tenth anniversary. Together you build two identical grids of three by three cards. Each card is inspired by one of the publisher's games and is beautifully illustrated by Vincent Dutrait. What makes it special is the way you play. You only have a little information and you may barely talk things over. There is no fixed turn order. Instead, you indicate whether or not you want to play a card. Every card you play tells the other player which card to lay down. If that does not work out, the game ends right away. This creates an exciting bit of teamwork in which you really have to sense what the other is thinking. There are several levels and separate ways to play on your own or with two players. Smitten comes in a paper envelope and is made completely plastic free. The idea comes from designer Jamey's childhood, when he collected comic cards that together formed one big picture. You can taste that feeling again in this game.