Nightmare Productions: A Fun and Fast-Paced Auction Game

I recently had the pleasure of playing Nightmare Productions, the latest edition of Reiner Knizia's classic auction game about movie production. I've always enjoyed auction games, and this one definitely hits the spot.

The premise is simple: you're a film producer trying to create the scariest, most successful horror movie. You bid on tiles representing directors, creatures, locations, musical conductors, cameos, and contractors – all the elements you need to make your movie a hit. You then use these tiles to complete your film-strips, earning points for each completed film. The auction mechanism is a classic rising bid system, with players paying with "money" to compete. This closed economy adds a nice strategic layer, as you need to decide when to bid aggressively and when to hold back.

One of the things I really appreciate about Nightmare Productions is how quick and easy it is to learn. The rules are simple and straightforward, and the game plays very smoothly. The game plays in about 45 minutes, which is perfect for a casual gaming session. I also like the fact that it scales well for player counts, although, like the review mentioned, it doesn't shine as brightly with only two players.

If you're a fan of auction games, or just looking for a fun and engaging game to play with friends, I highly recommend giving Nightmare Productions a try. It's a great game for all skill levels, and it's sure to provide plenty of laughs and excitement.