Jekyll vs. Hyde is a trick-taking game for two players based on the famous novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. As Dr. Jekyll, you'll need to resist Mr. Hyde's fierce attacks to protect your mind and keep the secret of your dual nature. As Mr. Hyde, your goal is to dominate Dr. Jekyll to overcome his identity.
One player is Dr. Jekyll ; the other is Mr. Hyde. The game plays in three rounds. At the end of each round, Dr. Jekyll's identity will progressively disappear under Mr. Hyde's relentless attacks. Compare the number of tricks that each player has won in this round and subtract the lowest score from the highest one (for instance, if Dr. Jekyll won 6 tricks and Mr. Hyde won 4 tricks, then the final result is 6-4=2). This result indicates by how many spaces the Identity Marker will move to Mr. Hyde's side.
Evil is relentless! Even if Dr. Jekyll won more tricks that Mr. Hyde, the marker will progress towards Mr. Hyde's side. As Dr. Jekyll, your goal is to keep balance, without giving in to darkness!
If the marker reaches the last space of the track (far left), then Mr. Hyde instantly wins the game. Otherwise, start a new round: remove the three colored tokens from the board and reshuffle all cards, including the 5 cards that you set aside at the beginning of this round.
Mr. Hyde wins as soon as the Identity Marker reaches the last space of the Identity Track (far left). If the marker did not reach the end of the track after three rounds, then Dr. Jekyll wins, escaping from Mr. Hyde's dark influence.
- Unique two-player take on trick-taking
- Interesting trump-suit dynamic based on early plays
- Learning curve for special cards and potions
- balance and chaos through trick-taking
- Two-player trick-taking duel with a contrasting Jekyll and Hyde theme
- strategic, duel-focused
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- potions and suit manipulation — Potions modify card interactions and can influence rounds.
- Trick-Taking — Two players strive to win tricks while balancing parity and chaos.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- BGA is my favorite online gaming platform and it's one that I use on a weekly basis if not multiple times a week to play with friends online
- this video is not in any way shape or form sponsored by BGA
- there you have it those are my top 10 filler games from board game arena
References (from this video)
- Elegant two-player asymmetric design that creates meaningful head-to-head decisions
- The heavy metal identity token and component quality convey a strong thematic presence
- Accessible length (about 20 minutes) with a compact footprint for portability
- Potion cards add spice and flexibility, bending rules and prompting strategic experimentation
- Focus on executive-function skills makes it valuable as a learning tool
- Beautiful artwork and high-quality components that feel premium
- Limited to two players, reducing player-count variety
- Potential imbalance in favor of Mr Hyde unless players swap roles across sessions
- Potion rules can feel fiddly or add complexity for newcomers
- Some metadata details (designer, year) are not disclosed in the segment
- Asymmetric goals inspired by Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; evolving power dynamics through potions and the progress of evil.
- Two-player competitive trick-taking duel between Dr Jackal and Mr Hyde, with an identity marker advancing on a board to determine the winner.
- High-thematic, narrative-driven contrast between balance and imbalance, forcing players to plan ahead while undermining the opponent.
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Executive-function skill emphasis — Play encourages planning, balancing objectives, and flexible thinking about when to win or lose tricks.
- Identity marker progress as win condition — The large metal identity marker moves toward evil; absolute difference in tricks won determines movement; final position decides winner.
- Must-follow trick-taking — Players must follow the lead suit unless a potion card overrides; the highest card or strongest suit wins the trick.
- Potion cards with rule-breaking effects — Some cards can win tricks or trigger advantages; potion cards require color declaration when led and can cancel each other out.
- Ranked suits with round-based re-ranking — Each round defines a suit ranking (green weakest, purple strongest); rankings determine trick winners.
- Round resets — After each round, cards are shuffled and redealt, but the identity marker remains in its position.
- Round-based card exchanges — First round: exchange 1 card; second: 2 cards; third: 3 cards; reshaping hands.
- Score-and-Reset — After each round, cards are shuffled and redealt, but the identity marker remains in its position.
- Trick-Taking — Players must follow the lead suit unless a potion card overrides; the highest card or strongest suit wins the trick.
- Two-player only and strategic planning — Designed for two players with emphasis on strategic planning and predicting the opponent's moves.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Jackal versus Hyde is a must follow trick taker
- this is a two-player trick-taking game
- the weight of this thing
- the artwork is fantastic too
- it's a tiny footprint you can bring it with you and play in a small space
- two players only you can't play it with one player
- asymmetric roles
- great skill for kids to practice
References (from this video)
- Cooperative and story-driven elements are appealing.
- Affordable price point.
- Jackal and Hyde versus Scotland Yard
- story driven
- Scotland Yard
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative — The game is described as cooperative.
- Story Driven — The narrative aspect of the game is highlighted as a key feature.
- Trick-Taking — The game is identified as a trick-taking game.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- We are sad to be missing I'm I'm crushed
- these are the five games we think you should not miss out on at Gen Con
- we are saving for a child the child needs a bed to sleep in first not board games
- I don't have games on here that I don't think I'm going to be able to play
- you're going to stand in line yes I'm for one of the games yes so and this is where you're this is where he made a face at me
- my problem with this game is that as far as I'm aware I have never seen a music oriented like become become people saying that people are saying that becoming a musician is not a very common theme among board games there's a reason
- I love my boards I didn't know that about you
- I'm going to have a baby duck
- if I can only have one knowing that we might have friends who will be sending us some of these titles
- we missed um and let us know how J goes
- it's a Euro with very with variable carplay
References (from this video)
- Very clever abstract game
- One of the best abstracts games
- One of the most thematic abstract games
- Fun storytelling
- Lots of replayability
- Time traveling
- Scenario based
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- abstract strategy — A clever abstract game with thematic elements.
- Multi-board gameplay — Played on three boards representing past, present, and future.
- scenario-based — Gameplay progresses through scenarios, adding to the storytelling and replayability.
- Time travel — Features a time-traveling theme where actions in the past affect the future, but not vice-versa.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- So, the fewer things you're saying you're going to do this turn, the earlier you will be in the turn order and that it seems so crucial.
- But it is one of those where it's it's as you said like it's it's pretty simple. It's a lightish game but with a lot of great decisions and a lot of fun.
- So it's a very I would say um tactical game. We're trying to see opportunities like oh now you opened up that opportunity. I should probably capitalize on that but that was not my plan to stop there.
- It has frustrating moments.
- And the mayor is always there. If you're a first player, you're going to get that mayor plunk down your city and he's not going to move. He's just going to be looking at your buildings and standing in the way of your building plans because all the other people decide where the mayor goes.
- I recommend if you are into heavy games. If you're not into heavy games, go away. I mean, stay away from the game.
References (from this video)
- Interesting and cool trump determination mechanism.
- The campaign mode provides replayability and growing complexity.
- Challenging cooperative gameplay.
- Intriguing concept of a two-player trick-taking game.
- Compact and portable design.
- Potion cards add strategic depth and player control.
- Not anything new or unique compared to other games.
- Fox in the Forest Duet is preferred over this game.
- Easy to find new ways to lose.
- Limited communication between players can be a drawback.
- Players cooperate to have their personalities work together to get away from Scotland Yard.
- The Crew
- The Crew's sequel
- Fox in the Forest Duet
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- campaign mode — The game features a series of missions that increase in complexity and introduce new challenges.
- cooperative play — Two players work together to achieve a common goal against the game system.
- Deck Seeding — Players 'seed the deck' that the city AI will use, influencing its actions without knowing the exact timing.
- Hand Management — Players manage cards in their hand, with limited communication about their intentions.
- Set Collection — Potion cards react to specific suits, implying a strategic element of collecting or playing suits to trigger effects.
- Trick-Taking — Players play cards in tricks, and the number of tricks taken by each player is used to advance on a track.
- Variable trump — Trump is determined dynamically during the game based on the order of specific colored cards played.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- two-player Cooperative trick taken game which is wild I've only ever seen that one done one other time
- The idea of that two-player trick taking game is so intriguing to me as a midwesterner love tricking taking games it is in my blood
- overall I thought this game was fine um I liked it but it wasn't anything new for me it wasn't anything I hadn't seen before and if I'm going to play a two-player trick-taking game I'm I'm going to choose Fox and the forest duet over this anytime I will always choose that game over it
References (from this video)
- Intriguing tug-of-war mechanic
- Offers an interesting strategic switch from typical trick-taking games
- Compact and portable
- Uses special abilities effectively
- Jekyll and Hyde duality
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Push and pull — A central tug-of-war mechanism where players manipulate a marker's position on a track.
- special abilities — Tokens can add 'game-breaking' abilities.
- Trick-Taking — Classic trick-taking gameplay where the highest card of the lead suit wins.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This process has shown me why I haven't done this before because I've been so stressed out.
- I have lost sleep over the last couple nights thinking about this top 10 video, you know, because you're constantly like, 'Well, how do I leave that game out? I love that game, but I got to leave that game out.'
- So, these are my top 10 uh two-player games of all time.
- And then my number one two-player game of all time is sort of a slash pick because it is Lord of the Rings Duel for Middle-Earth slash Seven Wonders Duel.
- I still have 7 Wonders Duel in my collection and it will never leave.
- I would love to hear uh what you love in the comments and stuff.
- What What are your favorite two-player games of all time?
- Next month will be my top 10 cooperative games of all time.
References (from this video)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- It's just going to be the winner of this tournament because we've done some randomization here with some of the games that we've matched up.
- kind of a popularity contest each time.
- there I don't think there is a single pairing where to me it's just an obvious choice. These are all going to be tough choices.
- Again, they're all two player games, so we won't belabor it by telling you that every single time.
- I don't mind stepping my foot on the scales as much as I possibly can, as much as you even care, but come on, Quarto.
- I do love Crokinole, but It would have been too easy he thinks if Crokinole was on the list. Clear winner.
- Maybe my favorite two player game. So, I mean, I it is my probably my favorite
- It is addictive. Once I started playing it, I just kept playing it.
- It's so good.
- It is like one of the greatest two-player game experiences.
- If you don't know what Zenith is, give Zenith a try.
- This is a toss-up. This is going to be a jump ball for sure.
- If there's a game that I think more unanimously will get uh votes other than War of the Ring, it might be Star Wars Rebellion.
- Boop is so well loved that I think Pagan might have a uphill battle, but Pagan is a little newer.
- Splendor Duel is worth trying for sure.
- It is such a great two-player game.
- Fugitive is probably uh even more so than Pagan my pick for like two-player deduction
- Twilight Struggle I think was number one for for years. Like you forever. Like for a very very long time.
- Lost Cities. People that have been in the hobby long enough at this point.
- Make sure everyone has fun at the table
- We are going to do a bracketed tournament for two player games culminating in not what I would say, it's not going to be the best two player game necessarily. It could be. It might be, but it's just going to be the winner of this tournament because we've done some randomization here with some of the games that we've matched up
- You can fill out your own brackets, but you are also going to be picking the winners cuz we're going to be running polls on our Discord for each and every match up so that it's I mean, for lack of a better way of putting it, kind of a popularity contest each time.
- I think Twilight Struggle was the game that popularized the two-player experience, at least as far as I'm concerned.
- Oh, for a long time. Forever.
- it is what a lot of people think of when you say when you say, 'Name a two-player game.' Lost Cities.
- These These do have the the downside of being a little older games.
- go to our Discord cuz as you're watching this right now, you can go to our Discord and go to the two-player March Madness channel on Discord. You'll be able to download the brackets. You'll be able to participate in all the polls that we're doing there.
References (from this video)
- beautiful components and thematic depth
- strong two-player tension
- may be heavy for casual players
- two-player asymmetry with escalating madness
- lampoon of Jekyll/Hyde with a heavy theme on dual personalities
- combat of minds with a strong narrative engine
- The King is Dead
- Ark’s
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- potion cards — cards that swap or reset tricks leading to dramatic swings
- Trick-Taking — Dr. Jackekal vs Mr. Hyde with evolving goals
- Two-player trick-taking — Dr. Jackekal vs Mr. Hyde with evolving goals
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- "one of the most underrated, most thematic trick-taking games out there"
- "cooperative trick taking game, but there's a hidden trader"
- "neat connection between its theme and its mechanisms"
- "this is not a persuasive essay to convince you that arcs is a trick-taking game"
- "Skull King is one of those games where every round has a big moment"
References (from this video)
- Innovative suit ranking mechanic
- Tight head-to-head play
- Can feel locked in to asymmetrical roles
- Hard to come back once behind
- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde duality
- Gothic/urban labs with balance-tracking
- Thematic, confrontational
- Fox in the Forest
- Fox in the Forest Duet
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Character roles with balance mechanic — Balancing track moves based on tricks won.
- Trick-Taking — Suits have a strength order by play order.
- Trick-taking with suit ranking by order played — Suits have a strength order by play order.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's one of the first trick taking games that I would think of bringing out to show somebody
- I would give this an S
- A for me
- I give this one an A
- the theme is great but still a D
- Gummy Trick is fantastically fun
- Vivo is a sleeper hit for me