Side Effects
Description
Drug use, personal demons, wild episodes, and more. Side Effects is a "take that" card game where players race to treat all the diseases in their psyche with medication and therapy.
You'll start with 4 Disorder cards dealt face up and then take turns trying to find (or steal) the right Drug cards to treat your Disorders. But beware! Drug cards will also leave you open to receiving new Disorders from other players!
2-8 Players
14+
Easy
Short
Review
Side Effects quickly became a favorite among our friends and family. With its fast paced gameplay, easy to pick up rules, and competitive nature you’re bound to have a good time with this game. The aesthetics match the level of game design as well, with each new person we introduce to Side Effects in awe of the illustrations of skeletons acting out their illness on each card.
Though your goal is being the fastest to clear/cure your psyche, you’ll have to be sure to keep an eye on your opponents. As preventing them from treating their disease is just as if not more important than treating your own. You can be so focused on clearing your psyche you don’t realize someone is one turn away from winning the game.
I honestly have nothing bad to say about this one. The only thing that you could slightly claim as a bit frustrating would be when you are dealt the Anorexia card, which can only be cured by one of the 5 Therapy cards. Making the Therapy MVP of the deck as they can also cure every other illness you may have, so if you are unable to draw or steal one, you’ll likely have a tough time. Even then I feel this is well balanced to keep skilled players in check.
Overall I highly recommend you pick this one up if you ever find it out in the wild. As of writing this, the game can only be found on ebay or directly from the developer (linked below) which is often sold out. No amazon link for this one folks. So keep your eyes peeled cause it's not one you’ll want to miss.
Purchase the game here.
