Customer Reviews

Cranium Wow Game

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When we bought this game, the big question we wanted answered was how different was it from the original? We put off buying it, then when we found it on an inexpensive sale, we figured it was worth the risk.

This game will be appreciated by anyone who enjoys the original Cranium and has exhausted the cards of their first game.

The game is played largely the same way as the original. Up to 4 teams move around the board by successfully completing challenges in 4 categories: Data Head, Star Performer, Word Worm and Creative Cat. The board layout is the same, though it's slightly more decorative this time. If memory of the original serves me correctly, the board is also smaller this time around.

All of the original activities from these 4 categories are present. However, they have also added new activities and changed one of the old activities, slightly.

In Data Head, they've added an activity called "Odd Couple," wherein you choose the two items in a list that don't belong with the others.

In Star Performer, they've added an activity called "Slideshow." In this activity one team member moves the arms and legs of another silent team member as you would a marionette. Think of it as charades with a twist. The goal is obviously to get the other players to guess what the puppeteer is trying to demonstrate with the puppet.

In Word Worm, they've changed "Gnilleps" to be a team game, meaning every player on the team takes alternating turns, adding one letter at a time to spell the word in reverse. They've also added "Mindmeld," a word association game where two or more team mates are each given a topic and have to write down 3 words that immediately come to mind when considering the topic. If any of the words between team mates match, the activity is successfully completed.

Club Cranium activities also still exist, but if I remember the original rules correctly, the way Club Craniums are played is slightly different. However, I could just be mistaken in my recollection of the way they were originally played.

We did find in a few instances that we could not complete some of the activities in a 2 person per team game. For example in Slideshow, the puppeteer was someone from the team that drew the card, but the Marionnete was from a different team so that there would still be someone left on the original team to guess what was happening. We just could not play Club Cranium Slideshow.

I found the Data Head questions were much easier than the first game. All of the other activities remained at relatively the same level of difficulty as before.

The addition of character movers with interchangeable hats and hair was cute, though it does not change anything about game play.

Overall, we enjoyed this as much as the original and like the new activities. If you have the original, you might still want to add this to your game collection, especially if you have exhausted all the cards from your first game like we did and especially at this great price of $15.99 (it retails for almost $30 and I'm not sure if I would pay $30 for a duplicate game). If you do not have a Cranium game yet, I would choose this one instead of the first one simply for the added variety.

My family love Cranium games. Unfortunately, we are spread out all over the US so we only get to play together around the holidays. We bought this game to play at Thanksgiving this year and absolutely had a blast. It is just as much fun as the original Cranium. My 12 year old nephew does not always know the humdingers or the cameos but he still enjoys playing. I highly recommend this game for anyone 12 and up who loves the thrill of competition and loves to laugh! For the price of a board game, we have certainly had some "priceless" experiences.

Cranium Wow is a very nice incarnation of the original game. Because the tasks are so varied, this game seems to appeal to a wide swath of folks- provided you know how to get a little silly! Definitely not the game for people who take themselves too seriously! This edition appears to be well constructed and I particularly appreciated the organization within the box- as there's a lot of little pieces. You need at least four people to play, and at some point if it remains popular with your friends you'll need to invest in booster packs to get fresh questions, but this is a great thing to break out during a dinner party instead of watching a movie because it keeps everyone interacting....and usually laughing!

We are also fans of the original Family Fun game. We also own Hullabaloo which is absolutely fantastic for younger children. My five year old son cannot get enough. As a family we play Cranium WOW quite often on our game nights and the variety of activities is very stimulating for our two teens as well as the youngest. A true multigenerational adventure.

Even the most silent teenager and the shyest adult will get lively and laugh as Cranium Wow players have to act things out (like charades), or sculpt or sketch something and have others guess what it is (like Pictionary), or solve a tough trivia or word puzzle. We own the original and were thrilled there was a new edition with all new challenges. 600 cards!! is enough for several holiday gatherings with plenty left over for parties or just playing with friends or fam.

this really is alot of fun.
out of all the board games i have ever played, this is the best.

i get bored very easily - but with this u never know what will happen.
acting, humming, drawing, molding.. its awesome!!

This is a good upgrade if you've ran out of cards from the original Cranium. There are even a couple new activities in this one. Only downside I can think of for this version is that the original came with something like artists clay, while this version substitutes playdoh.

I love this game so much that I bring it to small parties whenever I can. I've played the original cranium game, but I like this one so much better because it is more current and "hip". The only downfall to this is that after a few years, what was considered "cool" when the game was created is now out of date. Nevertheless, most of the aspects of this game is timeless and that is what makes it great. Much fun and my favorite board game by far.

If you think the previous version has become too easy, Cranium WoW should provide you a challenge. Still fun, but may be too difficult for some youngsters. It also has new challenges like Puppeteer where you perform charades, but using someone else.

We love this game!!
As a family of 5, it gets a little old playing life or monopoly! This set is visually appealing to us and our older two children (ages 9 & 11). The 2 year old tries to play as well. It has been a little challenging for the young ones, however, we don't have to skip too many cards to get to one they understand, and it really brings out their talents and skills, in a really fun environment! This game has brought out lots of support for family members, and is helping the kids feel comfortable with themselves, and to not be afraid to be themselves and act silly with the rest of us!
A very unique set. The mover pieces are just so cool!!

Even the price tag, for you bargain shoppers, is quiet good. We have a couple of more up-scale games that had a heavier price tag than most family games, but this one has them all beat, hands down. It's worth every penny.