New Game Round-up: Feeding Dingos, Hunting Spies, Detecting Batman, & Mastering Orion

Every round, players roll a ten-sided die, then add 10 to the total. That "round number" is the target that each player wants to get as close to as possible without going over. Players then take turns playing cards from their hand on either themselves or other players. Each card has a point value and a color. Cards can be played on others only if the color of that card matches a color already on the other player's board. Some cards have effects (e.g., a baby scares an elephant, while an elephant stomps a lion) that can remove cards from play.

Once the total number of cards that have been discarded equals twice the number of players, the round ends. Players score a point for each other player they beat in getting closest to the "round number" without going over; any player that exceeds the "round number" scores no points.

The next round begins with another die roll, and the game continues until a player reaches a predetermined number of points.

Remember when...game companies were crazy enough to think they could release a game and that it would not be broken to bits by players? Remember when they did not create any deck-building limits? Remember how you destroyed their game and made them ban cards and ban decks?

We remember.

It was 1993-1995 and it was glorious. For one brief shining moment AEG is going to bring back that unlimited fun.

The villains of Gotham City have gathered for a poker night and to share stories about the time they nearly dispensed with that troublesome caped crusader Batman. Little do they know that the Dark Knight is in their midst, disguised as one of their own. Will the rogues be able to suss out the bat in their belfry before he clandestinely subdues them?

Batman: The Animated Series – Almost Got 'Im Card Game — a variant on the popular Werewolf-style deduction game inspired by the memorable Batman: The Animated Series episode "Almost Got 'Im" — adds a poker element to the proceedings, requiring participants to craft poker hands to activate their special abilities when the lights go out. Take on the personas of classic Batman baddies in a game in which everyone has something to hide and no one is safe.

With poker hands guiding the action, players have something to talk about. Everyone has an important role. No bystanders in this game! Too often, social deduction games begin with random accusations just to get the ball rolling. Not so here as players can request poker cards from other players and often see which cards other players are taking. Enemies are made when someone takes the card you wanted. Now you have a reason to be suspicious of another player!