Worst-Case-Scenario -Survival-Game & worst case Labeling, Yet a good game for the right people.
Written: Oct 23 '03 (Updated Jan 05 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Some fun questions that will have the conversation moving.
Cons: Definitely not for younger ages as suggested on the box.
The Bottom Line: Not good for all ages they suggest.
I recommend this game for the more mature teens that are inquisitive and have a sense of humor. Adults too.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Game |
When I first saw the books of Worst Case Scenario I knew I had to read it. I did get it as a gift and it was "my cup of tea".
I suppose being an adventurer, at least in my own mind, I needed some information on how to fend off a grizzly bear, jump from a moving train, win a sword fight, and escape from quick sand. I also go snorkeling in the Caribbean as often as my budget and time allows. I definitely had to know how to react to a man eating shark that had its eyes on me as a nice tender plump dinner. These are some of the issues that are part of the game.
PLAYING the GAME The game is simple enough. You get your components that consists of
The Game Board. This is a fold out board that is about 18"x15". It is yellow with pencil drawings of footprints working their way through what looks like forests, deserts, and tropical settings. You follow the footprints from the start to the finish.
Four playing pieces
300 Worst-Case Scenario Survival Question Cards
One Die
OBJECT To be the first team to reach finish.
QUESTION CARDS
Each question card has one question and three answers on each side. The correct answer is printed in bold. It is actually a statement with a How as the first word. You finish the statement with the correct answer. The directions also tell you that there may be many ways to answer the question correctly, however, only one correct answer is given on a card.
Heres an example.
How to free a car stuck in the snow.
A. Let some air out of the tires
B.Put the car in low gear and drive.
C. Rev the engine until the engine heat melts the snow.
As you can see by this one question, there are other possible answers and the authors try and throw a little humor into the answers. This is in some cases but not all.
PLAYING the GAME
They state that the team with the youngest player starts the game. Ha, depending on the group, this can be a survival question right here.
Anyways play always goes to the left. The first team rolls the die but doesn't move. The team to the right pulls a card and asks the rolling team to answer the heading of the card. If they get it correct they move ahead the amount of spots on the die. Spots = Footsteps. If incorrect, the asking team gets to move up that amount of spots. Play then goes to the left. You can play this game two or more players or two or more teams.
WINNING the GAME
The first team to the finish is the winner. You do not have to have exact roll to win.
MIStake LABELING
The game box is a bright yellow colour much like the original books. It is covered with pencil drawings of sharks, scorpions, a raging bull, a crocodile, or is that an alligator, and a fit guy in shorts trying to outrun what looks like a swarm of bees.
On the side of the box is a little white label that says Ages 8 and UP, 2 or More Players.
Knowing the book, my first reaction was that the ages were probably in the ballpark. After playing the game and reading some of the cards I say "It ain't so"
I'm sorry but my kids at age eight might have had a problem with some of these questions. Maybe its not true with your kids.
How to identify the consequences of Bulimia Nervosa.
How to avoid Schistosomiasis Worms When Traveling Abroad
How to recognize Scromboid Poisoning after eating fish.
Now it's not that there were only one or two of these questions. There are dozens. OK maybe it's not that hard, after all it is multiple choice. Nah, thinkin' about it, it's too hard for my kids.
There were also a couple of other questions I also felt were not for younger children. I have five kids. They are now ages 14-28 so I have had some experience. I was also Mr. Mom for a number of years while my wife went back to work. She is an educator.
Maybe I'm a bit too protective or feel that some things just don't need to be addressed at age eight.
How to Handle a Dismembered Toe
How to Survive a Plummeting Elevator.
Now I do know that many of the other themes in the game can be frightening, like wrestling with a crocodile. I also feel that in most cases kids can separate the real from what really is fiction or imagination.
Severed toes and falling elevators are too real for me.
The GAME for the ELDERS
I enjoy the questions like
How to escape from quick sand.
How to eat ants
How to land a plane
How to get an alligator to release its prey
How to stop a run away train
How to get water from a cactus
How to find civilization without a compass.
How to escape from a pythons grip
There are other questions that may or may not appeal but can be helpful
How to survive a mugging
How to treat a severe migrane
How to remove an insect from the ear
How to treat a pelvic fracture in the wilderness
How to react when a stranger requests help at your door.
There are many medical questions too.
How to recognize internal bleeding
How to treat alcohol poisoning
How to treat Ebola Virus
How to treat intestinal parasites
How long to perform mouth to mouth resuscitation
Now one of the largest and most high lighted parts of the instruction page is
WARNING
Do not attempt to undertake any of the activities described in this game yourself.
Publisher and experts disclaim any liability.
There is a lot more written about all this.
Hey this is a game. We have to remember that. I also do question many of the answers.
Here's one
How to escape a volcanic eruption.
correct answer
A.Stay indoors, and move to a higher elevation immediately.
Now I'm not quite sure how to drive my house. Can you tell me?
What about this question?
How to Breath During a Freefall While Parachuting.
Their correct answer
C. You do not need to breath at all through your mouth and nose. You will breath through your skin.
Huh, What? Are you kiddin'? I never knew that!?
Here's one of their questions and it has three very serious answers and also the "correct answer"
How to foil a UFO abduction.
You will have to purchase the game for the answer to this one. OK, if you really must know leave a comment.
OUR EXPERIENCE
The game can be fun and very informative and bring up some good discussion. It's not as serious a game as a Monopoly or Scrabble where strategy and a bit more concentration is needed. You do have to listen and in some cases have a limit as to how many times you read the answers. It is a light game though. It's also a good game for long travel. Just bring the cards and ask questions.
The problem is that there are just 300 cards, 600 questions. This can be used up quickly if you play the game seriously for a while. I could not get any information on additional questions being printed that could be purchased.
Be sure you take the correct answers with a grain of salt.
Other family game reviews by popsrocks
Family Feud DVD Game
Deluxe Scrabble Play in style!
Monopoly Special Edition
Catch Phrase, a wonderful family and friend game!
Worst-Case Scenario Survivor Game Can you survive?
Encore Deluxe Fun, Fun, Fun!!
CLUE A classic " Who dun it?" game.
Stratego A time tested game of strategy.
Fact or Crap A new game that is fun for 15-adult
Texas Hold'em Poker
Games for adults, but not a "Adult Game"
How to Host a Murder, The Tragical Mystery Tour These are our favorite game of all!
How To Host a Murder Mystery, The Watersdown Affair Another in the series.
Men are From Mars, Woman are From Venus Not that great
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): gift
Type of Toy: Game
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