My family loves the game Cranium, but I absolutely hate it because of the cultural differences especially between songs and random facts. So imagine my surprise when Iron Gate came along. It unites BOTH the young, medium, and old. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Cranium, but to lose a card because you just don't know the actor from a movie? It doesn't feel so great or that you can't hum a song because you don't particularly listen to Country or so forth.
Now, to Iron Gate. It is a simple game where you are trying to escape from 4 areas in the order as stated by the rules, Cell Block --> Yard --> Cafeteria --> Warden's Office. You can accomplish this by bartering or winning cards (through an action or puzzle card that is determined by your roll) during each person's turn until you usually lose the option to barter with others near the end and because only one player can win. . That's one of the twists there. You can win as much cards as you want, but there is no guarantee what you really need is what you will get from a random draw. You may have to barter with someone, but who would want to help you if you are so close to escaping? Another slight twist is being able to distract a player from their puzzle (if they get one) by having more players act/draw or choosing them for their "lucky" card. Like I said, there are ways to backstab a person based on "chance" of a card.
Now you can not play co-op, but I added a bit of a twist in the rule where people teamed up in pairs of 2. So one Meepo (I am not sure if it is called that, it looks really similar to carcassonne's) will have 2 players playing the 1 meepo. The rules still apply. This helped a lot during the Acting or Charades because some of the acting would be easier to guess with 2 people and still be fun. It also allows the more experienced players to help the novice players or the 2nd person that is not drawing can help determine who said the right answer or switch midway if they have an idea. However, with more people, we added a referee (or 2 referees) because all the yelling got hard to hear for charades or drawing. It gets really amusing once more people are involved.
This may not be a con, but there are some "lucky" cards that are hard to do and can take a lot of time. For example, there is a lucky card that requires you to play "Basketball" with your fingers similar to paper football back in the day or you had to roll "sequential" numbers. Either takes a long time so oftentimes, we just draw another card as per House Rules. It is funny if it works.
The only con I can think of is that there are not enough reference cards to go around and share with people especially if you have 4 people. 3 People is doable, but it is hard to pass around the reference card. I usually take a picture of the reference card (back and front) so I can refer back to it and give it to another player who really need it.
Usually after the first round with people, they start to get what they need to do to escape which makes it all the more fun!
On a side note, I went through TSA with this in my luggage and they pulled me aside to ask what it was. I indicated it's a board game that was similar to Cranium and the cops are now on the lookout to find one for themselves!
I hope to add more pictures later, but this a definite fun party game to keep alongside with Code Names, Cranium, or Cards against Humanity.
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Product Description
Escape From Iron Gate by The Escape Game
The Prison Break Party Game. Act, Draw, and Solve Your Way to Freedom.
Welcome To Iron Gate Prison
It's not where anyone would choose to spend their time, but for now, it's home sweet cell.
You and your “friends” have been wrongfully accused of a crime and don’t belong behind bars. You’ve made your case first to the judge, then to the warden, but no one is buying it.
Looks like there’s only one path to freedom: a good, old-fashioned prison break! Well, today is the day - you’re going to make a run for it.
The good news? One of you is going to make it out. The bad news? Only one of you is going to make it out.
Game Features
- 3-8 Players
- 45-60 Minute Game Time
- Ages 13+
- Unlimited Replayability
Game Elements
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Your manual to freedom |
To Escape From Iron Gate, you will need at least a little luck. |
Collect items and strike deals |
Choose your character wisely |
