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Playing with rubber ducks in the bathtub is always a blast. That is, until the splashing gets out of hand and you’re suddenly mopping up half the bathroom. Duck & Cover takes that childhood joy of duck-filled chaos and turns it into a little card game. The twist? Your goal isn’t just to have fun. It’s to keep things dry. (Sorry, splash enthusiasts!)
👥 2-7 players, ages 8+
⌛ Playing time: 20 minutes
📝 Designers: Oussama Khelifati
🎨 Artwork: Adrien Journel
🏢 Publisher: Captain Games (review copy provided)
Gameplay Overview
At its heart, Duck & Cover is a quirky card game played over three rounds. Your mission is simple: avoid making a mess, at least metaphorically speaking. By the end of the game, the player with the fewest “splashes” (points) is crowned the least messy duck handler.
Here’s how it works. Each player begins with a 3×4 grid of duck cards, numbered 1 to 12. A central “captain pile” drives the action, with each revealed card dictating which duck in your grid needs to waddle around. When it’s time to move a duck, you can either plop it onto an adjacent card to cover it or move it to an empty space nearby.
Of course, the captain pile doesn’t just deal in numbers. Some cards instruct you to move your highest duck, or revisit the duck you just moved. If you can’t move the required card, you’re out for the turn and must announce it with a cheerful “quack.” (Yes, really. Don’t hold back; this is half the fun!)
Things get even more chaotic when all players quack over the same card. That card is immediately retired to the discard pile, edging closer to triggering the end of the round. The round ends in one of two ways: when enough cards pile up in the discard area (depending on the number of players) or when a player cleverly manages to stack all their ducks into one single pile.
After each round, players tally up the visible splashes on their uncovered cards. Splashes are bad. Think of them as water stains you have to explain later. However, if you manage to consolidate all your ducks into one pile, your points count as negatives, which is positively fantastic. After three rounds, the player with the lowest total score is officially excused from cleanup duty.
Our Thoughts
Duck & Cover is a charming little game that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s perfect for when you want a lighthearted break from more intense tabletop games. The rules are simple, the setup is quick, and it’s accessible enough for younger kids to jump in without feeling lost. If you’re a fan of games that create laugh-out-loud family moments, this one’s got you covered (pun intended).
Sure, the captain deck is random, so luck plays a big role. However, there’s some strategy in anticipating what’s coming and rearranging your ducks accordingly. It’s like a rubber-duck chess match, but without the grandmaster-level stress.
Let’s talk about the ducks, because they’re adorable! With seven themed families, including monster ducks, historical greats, and TV-inspired quackers, the artwork brings so much charm to the table. Each duck is like its own little character, and they’ll definitely keep you entertained as you play.
Is it for you? That depends. If you’re looking for a deep, brain-burning strategy game, Duck & Cover probably won’t scratch that itch. On the other hand, if you’re after a light filler game or something to play with kids, family, or even a group of friends at the end of a game night, this game fits the bill (or should we say, the beak?).
Oh, and be prepared for some hilarious quacking. When everyone starts shouting “QUACK!” over the same card, it’s impossible not to laugh. Whether you win or end up drenched in splashes, Duck & Cover is a game you’ll want to keep on the shelf for those moments when a little chaos is just what you need.
📝 We received a review copy of Duck & Cover from the publisher, Captain Games. As always, this didn’t influence our quacks of approval or disapproval. All opinions are our own, and rest assured, all ducks were handled with care and respect in the making of this review.
