Wouter & Ymke 
Mantis, brought to you by the team behind the popular Exploding Kittens, is an easy-to-learn game that promises entertainment for the whole family. The game rules’ simplicity allows players of different ages to join in and enjoy the game together.
👥 2-6 players, ages 7+
⌛ Playing time: 10 minutes
📝 Designer: Ken Gruhl & Jeremy Posner
🎨 Artwork: Matthew Inman
🏢 Publisher: Exploding Kittens (review copy provided by Asmodee Belgium).
To get started, you need to be familiar with the cards used in this game. Each card carries a character on the front with a unique color, and a set of three different colors on the back side. It’s crucial to remember that the character’s color on the front side is always mirrored in the colors displayed on the backside.
🔃 Before the game begins, shuffle the cards thoroughly and hand out four cards to each player, placing them face up to form what is known as their Tank. If some of the cards share the same color, stack them so players can still see the number of cards in the stack. The undistributed cards are placed in the center of the table face down, forming the draw pile. Don’t forget to allocate a separate space beside each player to create their score pile as they progress in the game. One player begins, and then the game moves in a clockwise direction.
🤔 During your turn, you have two options to choose from: “Try to Score” or “Try to Steal.” Opting to “Try to Score” means drawing a card and adding it to your Tank. If this newly drawn card shares a color with any cards in your Tank, you get to move all of them to your score pile, signaling the end of your turn. If not, the card just joins your Tank, and the turn ends. On the other hand, “Try to Steal” involves placing a drawn card in another player’s Tank, with the possibility of moving all cards of matching color to your own Tank if there’s a match. If there’s no match, the card stays in the opponent’s Tank, and your turn concludes. The connection between the colors on the two sides of the cards can be a valuable hint in deciding whether to score or steal, and can even influence which player to target when stealing.
🏆 The game reaches its conclusion when a player gathers ten or more cards in their score pile, bringing the game to an immediate halt with that player being crowned the victor.
Mantis, designed by Ken Gruhl and Jeremy Posner, is a card game that offers a playing experience of approximately 10 minutes. With artwork by Matthew Inman, the cards are colorfully designed and visually engaging.
👥 The game accommodates 2 to 6 players, and based on observations, a higher number of players often results in more dynamic interactions around the table. The rules of Mantis are straightforward, allowing for a quick explanation in just about a minute. This accessibility means it’s suitable for family gatherings, where members of different ages can participate, or for younger players to play independently.
🌈 Mantis comes with fast-paced gameplay, which often ensures repeat plays. Players are presented with two main actions during their turn: scoring and stealing. These actions require players to make decisions, especially when considering the hints the back of the cards provide about their fronts, and players need to weigh their options based on potential outcomes, which can be significantly influenced by luck. However, given the short duration of each game, a less favorable round can be quickly followed by a new game, offering players another chance.
💭 While Mantis may not be geared toward those looking for intricate strategic depth, it offers a concise and interactive experience suitable for diverse age groups. If the goal is to find a lighter game for casual play sessions or to conclude a game night, Mantis might fit the bill.
📝 Disclaimer: A review copy of the game was kindly provided by Asmodee Belgium.
