The Mind Extreme functions like The Mind, with players trying to play cards from their hand in ascending order — without consulting one another! — so that they can complete a certain number of levels and win. The higher the level, the more cards you have in hand, giving you more to juggle, but also more information to use during play.
The Mind Extreme offers a more complex challenge as now instead of a deck of cards from 1-100, you have two decks each numbered 1-50. Now you'll have two discard piles in play, with cards from one deck needing to be played in ascending order and cards from the other being played in descending order. What's more, some levels must be played blind — that is, with the cards discarded face down so that no one sees what you've played. Can all players get in the right groove and discard everything in the proper order?
- Short, snappy rounds
- Offers a fresh twist on the classic Mind concept
- Can be frustrating for beginners
- Silent coordination isn't for every group
- Synchronizing thoughts without explicit communication
- Abstract, mind-reading-style coordination
- Experimental, minimalistic
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative, silent play — Players attempt to play cards in sequence without talking to align with the group progression.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- thanksgiving is a holiday about bringing people together so i wanted to include games that make you want to high five instead of punch each other in the face
- every game on this list is a different variation on a cooperative game
- it's time to talk turkey
- Spirit Island features some amazing asymmetrical powers that really offer a plethora of gameplay options for all different kinds of players
- it's definitely a longer heftier co-op game unlike most in the genre
- the irony of putting a game on my thanksgiving list about driving colonists out of your native land is not lost on me but what better time than a colonizer's holiday to bring awareness to its origins and help write a new narrative of kindness to our indigenous peoples
- I love a game that makes you think and also sparks great conversations
- this has been a mighty suggested game production and i'm alex your board game sommelier signing off