SET
Verdict: mind-bending fun
In a Nutshell: This is a group card game of pattern recognition
“SET is a highly addictive, original game of visual perception; a fascinating challenge for either solitaire or competitive play. To create a SET, a player must locate three cards in which each of the four features is either all the same on each card or all different on each card, when looked at individually. The four features are, symbol (oval, squiggle or diamond), color (red, purple or green), number (one, two or three) or shading (solid, striped or open). Age is no advantage in this fast paced family game. SET is great fun for the whole family because there is no previous knowledge required.”
- Fun Rating: Fun
- ESRB: n/a
- Players/Mode: 1-20 players / pvp
- Game Duration: each game takes less than 30 minutes
- System: table
- Developer: Set Enterprises
- Website: http://www.setgame.com/set/index.html
- Cost: $12.00 from Set Enterprises
- Demo: daily online SET game on the game’s website
| Would I play this again? | yes |
| Would I recommend this game? | yes, especially good for parties |
| Was the story good? | n/a |
| Was the music good? | n/a |
| Were the graphics good? | cards are nice and simple |
| Was this game difficult? | only at first |
| Was this game frustrating? | no |
| Was this game offensive? | no |
| Was this game worth your time/money? | absolutely |
Playing the game
The dealer places 12 cards face up from the deck in 3 rows of 4. Players identify sets of cards based on the rules. The proposed set is verified by the other players and, if confirmed, the player that identified it keeps the set. Play continues until no cards are left in the deck and no further sets can be identified. The player that identified the most sets wins the round.
The full game rules can be found here.
What the game gets right
As a card game, there’s no set-up so you’ll be playing right after the shuffle. Game play moves quickly and, because of the simple idea of the game, players will probably be finding sets before the dealer can finish laying down the first twelve cards.
The cards are simple and colorful and the variations on the shapes don’t get stale.
Even though the idea is simple, the game will keep your brain on its toes once the simple sets have been cleared off the board.
What the game gets wrong
From what I’ve seen and played, this game is solid.
Sum it up
This is definitely one of the games to have on hand for any party. There is a dramatic pause when all cards are showing and no set has been identified right away; when you can almsot hear the logic gears of the players trying to work out a pattern.
(Apparently there’s a version available for the iPhone and iTouch. $3.99 at the iTunes store.)
Other games you might like to read about:
Alteil
CrossblockRate this Game
(1 votes, average: 3.00 out of 4)
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May 8th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I think it’s worth adding that SET has a more immediate appeal to “left brain” types of people. As an engineer, the game is totally my cup of tea, but I have played with other people who take a lot longer to “get” it.
IMO, even after a few rounds, it’s never really a very fair game when you pit analytical people vs. more creative types.