Skull, review of the game about cheating and bidding, testing, criticism

In this game test, our group was allowed to try out Skull by Hervé Marly from Space Cowboys and Asmodee. The packaging and presentation initially indicate that it is a card game. But the contents are surprising: instead of cards, there are pieces of sturdy cardboard about the size of a hand. These tokens look very valuable due to their size alone and are quite brilliantly designed. Our group spread out on the gaming table felt like they were transported to a pirate ship, if only because of the harmonious design of the game materials.

Skull – game for crafty people

In the introduction to the instructions, Skull provides a link to the video instructions using a QR code. However, these are also pleasantly simple and well explained in the rulebook.

Each person gets a matching pillow and tile. Three floral motifs and one skull are printed on it. One of the tiles is now placed face down for someone to start the challenge. This person now offers an initial number of tiles that he can flip without hitting the skull. Instead, it is now a matter of outdoing or surpassing the previous player. The last person remaining must now honor his offer.

To do this, you have to flip your entire deck. Once you do this without your skull visiting you, you can choose other players' combinations. This is where things get particularly interesting because not the entire stacks are flipped, but only the top tiles.

If the challenge is passed, the board can be flipped. This represents a victory point, but to win the game, a second victory point is required. If the prediction is wrong, the tiles must be delivered blind.

Skull: Be a pirate for a moment

It must be said right away that Skull works best with as many people as possible. It's a fun game with three players, but even more fun with a full round.

As we mentioned at the beginning, we felt like we were transported to cutscenes during the game, like the ones you can experience with a certain Captain Jack. After all, this pirate was also a scoundrel and could deceive wonderfully.

Finally, we can definitely recommend Skull.

We managed to play two or three good rounds before we felt “saturated” for the day. But that didn't stop Skull from being unloaded again the next match day.