Setup
Short Game: Pull 13 cards (one each from 2-A) from each deck and shuffle them together to make a deck of 52 cards. Set the remaining cards aside. Split the deck evenly between the players.
Long Game: Shuffle the four decks together into one large deck, then split evenly among players.
Objective
Be the last person with cards.
Actions the players take
Two players at a time flip over and reveal the top card on their deck. The highest card value wins all the cards in the round. The captured cards are set aside to be reshuffled into the deck when all current cards in the deck run out. Play will rotate one space per round. For example in a game with 3 players: the first round would be Player 1 vs. Player 2; the second round would be Player 2 vs. Player 3, the third round would be Player 3 vs Player 1, and so on.
Card value = number value + color bonus
Number value: 2=2, 3=3, 4=4, 5=5, 6=6, 7=7, 8=8, 9=9, Jack=10, Queen=11, King=12, Ace=13
Color Bonus: Red (+1) -> Blue (+1) -> Yellow (+1) -> Green (+1) -> Red
If there is a tie in card value, players will reveal two cards that are now part of the prize pot, and the final tie-breaking card. Whoever wins the tie-breaker wins all of the cards from that round.
Ending the game
If you run out of cards, you are out of the game. Only the person with cards remaining is the winner.
Examples
Playtest for: River (Mismatch)
Playtester: Clay
What was the most frustrating moment or aspect of what you just played?
The written rules could benefit from some simplification. Learning the hierarchy of colors was confusing and only ended up being relevant in the case of a tie or 2/3 of near ties
Once I was down a significant amount, it was clear that it would be near impossible to win since the tie mechanic in classical war is what rejuvenates chances for a comeback
After losing, waiting for a potentially infinite amount of time for the other players to finish was annoying. In a 2 player war, when you lose you can immediately start a fresh game
What was your favorite moment or aspect of what you just played?
Having multiple players was a fun twist on a classic
Being down to one or two cards and having a slight comeback
Was there anything you wanted to do that you couldn’t?
Play against Shane who was across the table; maybe try a variation with three players
If you had a magic wand to wave, and you could change, add, or remove anything from the experience, what would it be?
Clarify the hierarchy of the colors. In something like Rock, Paper, Scissors, there is a known inherent way that wins happen, but because I don’t have any such association with these colors, I would have to check the reference card every time
How has the play experience changed since the first play test?
N/A
Is this a game you would play again? Why?
I would try playing again in the hopes of getting a better initial deal
playtest for: River (Mismatch)
tester: Aaron
What was the most frustrating moment or aspect of what you just played?
the color system is good but use the colors you have tags for
What was your favorite moment or aspect of what you just played?
ties are common when playing
Was there anything you wanted to do that you couldn’t?
play against all other players
If you had a magic wand to wave, and you could change, add, or remove anything from the experience, what would it be?
make 3 game lengths fast, short, long
How has the play experience changed since the first play test?
N/A
Is this a game you would play again? Why?
yes it was interesting