Collection Status
Your Rating
Description
In JAWS, one player takes on the role of the killer shark off Amity Island, while the other 1-3 players take on the roles of Brody, Hooper and Quint to hunt the shark. Character and event cards define player abilities and create game actions for humans and the shark. Gameplay is divided into two acts — Amity Island and The Orca — played on a double-sided board to replicate the film's story:
In the Amity Island phase, the shark menaces swimmers and avoids capture. Other players attempt to pinpoint the shark's location and save swimmers from shark attacks.
In the Orca phase, played on the reverse side of the game board, Brody, Hooper and Quint are aboard the sinking ship engaging in a climactic battle against the shark, while using additional action and strategy cards to defend the Orca from targeted shark attacks.
If humans kill the shark, they win; if the shark attack on the Orca succeeds, the great white shark wins.
Year Published
2019
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 13
This page: 13
Sentiment:
pos 9 ·
mix 2 ·
neu 1 ·
neg 1
Showing 1–13 of 13
Video _zyIJhNFJus
Adam's Board Game Wales general_discussion at 2:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12319 · mention_pk 35917
Click to watch at 2:30
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Licensed IP feel
- Thematic and immersive
Cons
- Rule complexity can be intimidating
Thematic elements
- survival/deduction
- Film license, ocean thriller
- licensed IP
Comparison games
- Scotland Yard
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hidden_movement — players move secretly to achieve goals
- team_cooperation — players cooperate to hunt the shark
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- hi i'm adam porter and this is my board game vlog
- this video is partly inspired by actual video john perkis recently did
- the kalax shelves the ikea kalax every youtuber has kalax shelves don't they
- i'm afraid we're going to have to go broad strokes here
- since i've been at home through lockdown working from home a lot of the time this has become my office as well
- monopoly monopoly gamer i just think monopoly game is so fun
- i've backed the complete collection which will come in a massive coffins type box
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Fil1dnS5pbg
No Rolls Bard top_10_list at 3:33 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11912 · mention_pk 34947
Click to watch at 3:33
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- tense, varied play across two halves
- strong thematic stand-ins for hunt and escape
- distinct roles create asymmetry
Cons
- asymmetry can be challenging to balance for new players
Thematic elements
- hunt and survival against a great white
- Amity Island, sea vs shore
- cinematic thriller
Comparison games
- Fish! (themed hidden movement games)
- Mysterium
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Hidden movement — the shark moves unseen while humans search
- two-act structure — first act uses water-side play; second act moves to the Orca fight
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- one of the cutest games i've ever seen
- it's a great time for a movie nerd to cross those streams and get into board games
- the thing infection outpost 31 or everything epic's awesome big trouble in little china aren't on here
- the back in time is also one of the hardest games i've ever played
- this is a license to print money but a hell of a game
- it's not just the art style which is super evocative and cool
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video JVnZO82bGQ0
Unknown top_10_list at 4:59 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10047 · mention_pk 29586
Click to watch at 4:59
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Cinematic tension; climactic ship battle
- two-player twist increases shine of roles
Cons
- Downtime in longer play sessions
Thematic elements
- survival and shark-hunt adventure
- Isla Island and ocean; Jaws IP
- cinematic with climactic ship battle
Comparison games
- Last Friday
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- asymmetric / hidden roles — one player is shark, others are heroes
- group dynamic shift in 2p — becomes a head-to-head contest
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- two-player games are something special for me a lot of my best gaming experiences have been two player specifically with my partner's death
- Santorini is my number one two-player game because it is designed for two to four players
- it's a chess-like game at two players
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video vFXLv61J070
Foster the meele Channel top_10_list at 1:26 sentiment: negative
video_pk 9179 · mention_pk 27063
Click to watch at 1:26
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
- strong thematic tie-in with the film concept (outside of hot tub use)
Cons
- not hot tub friendly
- as depicted, not practical in water-based environments
Thematic elements
- survival against a great white shark
- Amity Island coastal town
- tension-driven, movie-forward
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- unknown — unknown
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- hot tub gate
- soggy tarp hot tub a fun game that's not what I asked for
- Publishers watching please put in the comments why don't they make every game hot tub proof
- stupid stupid game can't play it in a hot tub
- I hate it all
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video xKOXhqQR1kc
The Secret Cabal general_discussion at 47:57 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8781 · mention_pk 25905
Click to watch at 47:57
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Fresh take on a classic IP within a modern board game
- Target-exclusive release adds collectibility
Cons
- Limited availability in some regions (Canada in this case)
- As with hidden movement, teach/demo can be tricky
Thematic elements
- cooperative vs antagonistic hidden movement
- cat-and-mouse pursuit around a haunted sea
- tension-driven, thematic pursuit
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- asymmetric roles — different goals and abilities per side
- Hidden movement — players move secretly to outmaneuver the other side
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- you can mix these guys you can take Robin Hood against King Arthur
- detective club was really interesting; it's kind of like a party game
- Black Angel seems great and the board is really bold
- Court of the Dead looks really pretty and the minis are fantastic
- we backed Arena the Contest, we got a con-exclusive promo
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video rfe-O3eILPo
Unknown Channel game_review at 0:07 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 8321 · mention_pk 24500
Click to watch at 0:07
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Strong alignment with the Jaws film's key moments
- Unusual two-act structure creates a meaningful climactic finale
- Solid hidden-movement core with thematic flavor
- Good fit for families and many gaming groups seeking lighter, tense interaction
Cons
- Production values described as flimsy with warped cards in some copies
- At four players, each person has less to contribute; game shines with two players
- No solo mode and some players may crave more depth or variability
Thematic elements
- hunt vs. flee, survival, predator-prey dynamics, cinematic tension aligned to a famous film
- Amity Island, 1975, a quiet New England beach town during a busy tourist season
- cinematic, two-act structure that mirrors the film’s climactic confrontation
Comparison games
- Fury of Dracula
- Last Friday
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area control / movement tracking via barrels — humans deploy barrels to track the shark; barrels provide information and pressure
- Dice combat — combat outcomes are resolved with dice rolls, adding chance to encounters
- Hidden movement — the shark (Jaws) moves secretly; humans attempt to deduce its location and plan responses
- Variable player powers — each character (human players and Jaws) has unique actions and abilities affecting strategy
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Jaws is an incredibly important and influential movie and the game nails the key moments without putting the game on rails
- The first part of the game is a fairly solid but generic hidden movement game with a shark trying to outwit the hunters
- But it's the final fight that elevates jaws above some of its contemporaries and means that every game ends with this climactic fight and not just a declaration that the hunted has been caught
- The best thing about this game is its unusual two-act structure each of the acts is fun in its own right as well
- The production values are a bit on the flimsy side and some of the cards in my game have warped
- This one is a good fit for families who don't mind some confrontation in their games and for most other gaming groups
- For a more complex one versus all hidden movement game try Fury of Dracula
- And if horror is your thing try Last Friday
- Shark attack!
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video G1WMKP-i0j4
Board Game Coffee general_discussion at 26:21 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 7743 · mention_pk 22855
Click to watch at 26:21
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Strong IP and suspenseful theme
Cons
- Raves about it from friends but author not sure about rules complexity
Thematic elements
- hiding from a shark, survival and pursuit
- sea voyage / boat under threat
- hidden movement with thematic tension
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Hidden movement — one player (shark) moves invisibly while others search
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we're giving away 50 games
- it's worldwide
- remember you can enter in every video
- the box is really heavy
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video W64Lzk-PDYk
Board Game Club playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7646 · mention_pk 22640
Click to watch at 0:00
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Strong thematic immersion with Amity Island vs a stealthy shark.
- Engaging asymmetrical design and tense two-phase structure.
- Humor and pop-culture flavor enhance watchability and accessibility.
Cons
- Rule complexity and occasional simultaneity can slow play or confuse newcomers.
- Dice-driven randomness can swing outcomes, potentially diluting strategic control.
- Length and setup can be lengthy for casual play.
Thematic elements
- Shark thriller: hunter vs hunted; cooperative crew vs hidden predator
- Amity Island, off the coast of New England
- cinematic thriller with camp humor
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Asymmetrical roles — Shark vs crew have different goals, tools, and information, driving tension.
- Dice-based combat — Attacks rely on dice results compared to evade stats; higher results deal damage.
- event deck and rules modulation — Event cards modify round rules and add swimmers; impact timing and positioning.
- Hidden movement — The shark moves secretly with limited information revealed via tracker and powers.
- motion sensors and barrels — Swimmers trigger motion sensors; Quint can fire barrels to attach to the shark for damage.
- shark powers — Face-down power cards that shark can reveal to modify turns and abilities.
- special tools and roles — Fish finder, binoculars, harpoon, and other gear give crew advantages for locating and fighting the shark.
- Two-phase structure — Amity Island phase (shark vs humans) and Orca/boat phase (crew on a vessel) determine actions and gear.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I'm playing as Brody who is landlocked
- we're going to need a bigger boat
- I'm having a nice time
- I think it's a good shout
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video --kWaNv_Wlc
Three Minute Board Games top_10_list at 10:41 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5448 · mention_pk 16217
Click to watch at 10:41
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Wonderfully retro style
- Flexible hidden movement
- Two phases keep tension ratcheting
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Shark hunting cat and mouse
- Amity Island from Jaws movie
- Movie adaptation
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Hidden movement — More flexible than it looks at first glance
- One vs Many — One player as shark vs hunters
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Do not adjust your set
- This list is quite different to last year's and I think that mostly reflects what an absolute 2020 has been
- My subjective opinion is biased skewed irrational and probably wrong
- It is very political all war games are political
- So say we all
- What am I doing with my life
- Squishy squishy squish squish squish
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video KwM02RDzHXI
Board Game Coffee general_discussion at 3:50 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 4624 · mention_pk 13540
Click to watch at 3:50
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
- Came with damaged box
Thematic elements
- shark thriller
- ocean
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I got this for Christmas I have no idea how to play this
- I remember liking it I I I don't remember not liking it
- if you like dachshunds or if you like which is like the hot dog dogs
- I liked the first two times I played I was like oh that's fun and then the more you play just kind of grates on you
- Brittany said that if you ever play this with me again I will burn down this house
- I will never get over it it's done
- you could play it like one to 100 players
- my brain is exhausted I feel like this is one of those games gets you the gears going your head
- I have no idea what this game is but how cool is that art
- this is just chess but it's like shot glasses
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video VQBA5LlihA0
Kyoto Kanto general_discussion at 9:58 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2552 · mention_pk 7470
Click to watch at 9:58
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive_intent
Pros
- Great IP license
- Prospero Hall quality
- 2-player friendly
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- jaws_movie
- horror
- IP_licensed
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the fastest-growing boardgame community in the world
- I'm a big fan of Kitchen rush
- why isn't this an everybody toy store this should be sold alongside uno
- I think one of the best low-complexity games over the plate
- my favorite board game reviewer is a channel called alas board games
- so bloody good game
- wow this is I should have played at ages ago
- reckoners is really cool game
- this is a fabulous looking game real-time submarine warfare game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video VwVs5egZsM4
Adam's Board Game Wales top_10_list at 0:03 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2289 · mention_pk 6643
Click to watch at 0:03
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive_with_reservations
Pros
- epitomizes industry trend toward licensed games
- two distinct game halves with different mechanics
- thematic elements from film well-integrated
- fun bluffing and social deduction gameplay
- good execution of asymmetric design
Cons
- not a perfect game
- second half can be quite random
- not groundbreaking design
- industry reliance on nostalgia licenses may not be sustainable
Thematic elements
- film_license
- hidden_movement
- cooperation
- asymmetric_gameplay
Comparison games
- Scotland Yard
- Licensed board games
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- i'm adam porter and this is my board gaming vlog and it's my annual top 10 board games of the year
- this is not an authoritative list of the best games of the year or anything like that it is just the 10 games that i've enjoyed the most
- the game is ultimately endlessly replayable even though there's only something like nine different final solutions
- i find the game thoroughly entertaining
- this is exactly the sort of game i wish i could design something that simple that streamlined that looks that beautiful
- this game pretty much got us through lockdown
- it's gone immediately right to the top as far as my wife is concerned this is one of her favorite games of all time
- i'm really hoping for a better 2021
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video O6t0lyh0hR8
Keep Defo top_10_list at 1:36 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1787 · mention_pk 5172
Click to watch at 1:36
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Captures movie essence perfectly
- Two very different gameplay styles
- Beautiful thematic implementation
- Uses fantastic iconic IP
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Man vs nature, survival
- Amity Island beach
- Asymmetric competitive
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Asymmetric gameplay — One player as the shark, others as heroes
- Dual phases — Transitions from initial hunt to final confrontation
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I have played very very few board games since Anne arrived in our lives
- XCOM is probably my favorite if not the only app driven board game I enjoy
- I'm not going to apologize for my tastes which are excellent
- This is the one I was literally dreaming about
- It's an absolute Banger of a co-op game
- This game somehow captures the movie's essence
- Two really different styles of gameplay wrapped into one beautiful theme under a fantastic iconic IP
- Right now with the state of global geopolitics I really really want to kill Hitler
- The game that we have had in our collection so long we do not own the original box
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–13 of 13