Startups

Startups is a fantastic little card game from Oink Games that I've been enjoying immensely. It's simple to learn, with only a few rules to grasp, but offers a surprising amount of depth and strategic decision-making. The core gameplay revolves around collecting cards of different colors to represent shares in various startups, and the key is to strategically use your limited resources to outmaneuver your opponents. The "take that" aspect comes into play as you can force other players to pay you chips if you end up with the most shares of a particular color at the end of a round.

I particularly love the "push-your-luck" element of the game. You have to decide whether to take a risk and draw cards from the deck, potentially paying chips for those you don't have, or try to snag a card from the market. This constant balancing act of risk and reward keeps the game exciting and engaging, especially with larger player counts.

While the game is incredibly portable and quick to play, making it perfect for casual gaming sessions, there are some minor downsides. The box is a bit small, and I found that some components were a bit worn out in my copy, which was a bit disappointing. Also, the game can feel a bit chaotic with a larger group, as there are not enough cards to support everyone.

Despite these minor drawbacks, Startups is a highly enjoyable and addictive card game. It's easy to pick up, but offers enough complexity to keep you coming back for more. If you're looking for a compact, strategic, and fun game to add to your collection, I highly recommend giving Startups a try.