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Description
In the trick-taking game Seas of Strife, formerly Texas Showdown, originally published as Strife, you want to avoid taking tricks as skillfully as you can, but playing off-suit might not keep you safe as the suit can change during the trick, possibly stinging you in the end.
Before play, all the cards are distributed evenly among the players. Once a player leads a single card for the first trick, all other players must play a card of the same suit, if possible. If a player can't play on suit, they can play a card of any color — but after they do this, all subsequent players can play a card of either matching color (or possibly a third color if they have neither of the first two).
Once all players have played to the trick, you see which color has been played most frequently in the trick. Whoever played the highest card of this color wins the trick. If two or more colors are tied, then the highest card counts as the winner.
You play several rounds until someone reaches the target number of tricks taken. At that point, whoever has captured the fewest tricks wins!
Year Published
2015
Featured Videos
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 7
This page: 7
Sentiment:
pos 6 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 1 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–7 of 7
Video LIvWm7gcTbo
Board Game Garden top_10_list at 24:47 sentiment: positive
video_pk 31533 · mention_pk 92908
Click to watch at 24:47 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Beautiful artwork by Beth Sobel
- Depth and strategy for a small box title
Cons
- Complex for newcomers
- Rule clarity can vary between groups
Thematic elements
- trick-taking with area control and leader mechanics
- nautical combat / boat-building themes
- thematic combat strategy
Comparison games
- trick-taking games with area influence
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- end game bonuses — First to complete a suit triggers leaders with lasting abilities.
- leader cards / end-game bonuses — First to complete a suit triggers leaders with lasting abilities.
- Trick-taking — Higher strategic play with multiple suits and leader influence.
- trick-taking with area control — Higher strategic play with multiple suits and leader influence.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Everything Ever is the party game that you've been preparing for your entire life.
- Time Chase is a really interesting take on a trick taking game.
- Gap is easy to play so easy to learn; plays up to six.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video aQjnE4DHBSc
Unknown game_review at 0:13 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 29324 · mention_pk 86168
Click to watch at 0:13 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
- Unique objective of taking the fewest tricks rather than the most
- Strong maritime theme and risk-reward dynamic
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- avoidance of winning tricks; tension between luck and skill
- Maritime voyage with hazards at sea
- descriptive/educational
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- lead-follow mechanic — One player leads a suit and others must follow that suit when possible.
- penalty scoring for tricks — Players earn penalty points for each trick they take; the goal is to take as few tricks as possible.
- Trick-taking — Players play a card per round; the highest value of the lead suit wins the trick.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Seas of Strife is a trick-taking game where each round players will be playing a card.
- However, the twist in this game is that you don't want to be that player. You actually want to be the player to take the fewest tricks.
- If you can get through troubled waters, you'll be the one that makes it safely back to port.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video NOU-ERNNNdg
Board Game Garden top_100_list at 14:55 sentiment: positive
video_pk 27918 · mention_pk 81534
Click to watch at 14:55 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- clever inversion of traditional trick-taking
- strong nautical theming and amber artwork
Cons
- trick-taking can be hard to explain to new players
- art style may not appeal to everyone
Thematic elements
- ships, storms, sea lore
- nautical / sea-faring atmosphere
- trick-taking with a twist
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Compound Scoring — suits provide varied scoring pressures and tactical choices
- dynamic end-game trigger — end when a threshold of tricks is reached
- Engine Building: Triggered/Cascading — end when a threshold of tricks is reached
- multi-suit management — suits provide varied scoring pressures and tactical choices
- Trick-taking — players aim to lose tricks strategically; tricks determine scoring
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- "Miabi is one of my favorite polyomino games it is number 70 here on the list"
- "Seas of strife is absolutely fantastic it is such a fun game"
- "Merchants Cove I do think that if I played this one more it actually can play solo as well"
- "The Search for Planet X is my number 65"
- "Parks is my number 62"
- "Boku is my number 61"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video cDmkUMEAU8k
OFG Voices live_discussion at 52:07 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12573 · mention_pk 36674
Click to watch at 52:07 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- artwork and box presentation
- strong group game with straightforward rules
Cons
- scoring can be opaque for newcomers
Thematic elements
- trick-taking with push-your-luck elements
- Pirate-tinged sea skirmishes and exploration
- cartoony, light-hearted but competitive
Comparison games
- Nations
- Other trick-taking variants
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Trick-taking — Players play to win tricks while managing risk and point structure.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the minis are outstanding
- it's a fun fighting game
- it's kind of like a tableau building game and set collection game
- the box feels quality
- Ticket to Ride now they've got trains and then they have other Ticket to Ride with boats and all that stuff
- Lost Cities will make you mad all day long
- Salt and Sea is interesting
- the expedition system
- you kind of do cards and things
- circle the wagons... two-player game
- two-player game good
- Push... push your luck
- we're going to roll straight into the heart of this episode
- Terraforming Mars is the best game
- the art and packaging of Let's go to Japan is beautiful
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 8TwR7fWiUCs
Foster the Meeple general_discussion at 6:43 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9482 · mention_pk 28028
Click to watch at 6:43 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- clean abstract scoring
- interesting twist on trick-taking
Cons
- variant complexity may deter casual players
Thematic elements
- trick-taking with constraints
- deck-based trick-taking with a nautical/sea theme
- lightweight, tactical party-style card game
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- color/number sequencing — cards have color and number attributes that influence tricks and scoring
- Trick-taking — players bid or follow with tricks; aim to avoid or win certain tricks depending on rules
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is a perfect convention game
- Moon is by far my favorite of the three
- She-Hulk is very fun to play
- Spider-Man ended up winning
- this is a push your luck game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video CPVV30WasrM
Our Family Plays Games top_10_list at 7:27 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5379 · mention_pk 15991
Click to watch at 7:27 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Innovative twist on traditional trick-taking mechanics
- High interaction and tension in timing plays
Cons
- Theme quality noted as weak by the speakers
Thematic elements
- Sea adventure with strategic trick-taking
- Sea-themed negotiation/trick-taking environment
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Trick-taking — Non-traditional trick-taking where following suit is not strictly required and players aim to avoid tricks through careful card play.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Black History Month is American history.
- There's positive change in the hobby, even with some pushback.
- We see more diversity in artwork and the people at events.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video lISpRLFaVrw
Unknown Channel general_discussion at 31:43 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1384 · mention_pk 4039
Click to watch at 31:43 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging depth for a trick-taking game
- Vibrant artwork and durable components
- Flexible play: original and general modes suit different groups
Cons
- Thematic presentation may appeal selectively to players who like nautical vibes
Thematic elements
- difficult trick-taking with strategic depth
- treacherous waters of pan-European seas
- classic, nautical
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card-value assessment — players must gauge card values relative to current trick
- Trick-taking — players try to win as few tricks as possible across rounds
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I love the original release of Drur and Ruber from Hansenlug.
- The gameplay is simply amazing and a lot of fun with a competitive edge that can be quite mean.
- Rainforest City is a brilliant game.
- It's an excellent choice for family game night and classroom environments.
- Chow Chow is fast-paced, easy to learn, and typically takes around 20 minutes to play.
- I absolutely love Tonga Banga. The gameplay is incredibly entertaining and the way money functions in this game is pure genius.
- Cat Blues is truly a hidden gem, and I absolutely love this game.
- Genius Idea has exceeded my expectations and I've thoroughly enjoyed every session.
- Indigo is a 2012 Spiel Jarus recommended game.
- The artwork in this version is mesmerizing.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–7 of 7