Side Effects Reviews

4.4 Rating 7 Reviews

Side Effects is a take-that card game that combines a heap of cunning, a dash of luck, and fistfuls of vengeance. Each player is dealt a series of mental disorders face up in front of themyour goal is to be the first one to completely treat yourself using drug or therapy cards. But be warned! Every time a drug card is used to treat a disorder, it leaves the user open to a variety of side effects (more disorders) that other players can now give! In order to find the drugs you desperately need and avoid the dreaded Youre Having An Episode card, youll need to bluff, bargain, and betray. Beautifully illustrated in the style of a vintage medical textbook, Side Effects brings hilarity and hysteria to any gathering.

2-8 players
Ages 14+
10-30 minute play time

Contents:
38 Disorder cards
36 Drug cards
5 Therapy cards
10 Episode cards
6 Bonus cards
Rules

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“Very good game!”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

“Extremely addictive and fun board game. I descovered it one night through one of my friends who had it and if it was for me, I would have played it the entire night, but they got sleepy. Highly recommended.”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

“Awesome fun game”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

“Very fun game that is very replayable”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

“Love this game! It’s quirky, fun, fast enough rounds, and a favorite at my house. Also LOVE the art style”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

“Stunning artwork paired with a great game!”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“Hey, if you're looking at this and thinking "nice production but surely the theme can't be as bad as the box makes out" you're absolutely right - it's worse. Strap in because there's a lot to say here and bear in mind this game and review both need a strong content warning regarding mental health issues. If you really can't stomach 5 minutes of reading skip to 'here's the question...' and the last paragraph but I'd recommend reading it all for context if you are seriously considering buying this game. Don't get me wrong there are games out there that have explored mental health issues well, it's not some taboo subject that nobody should touch. HOWEVER Side Effects chose to approach it in such a way that it simultaneously trivialises and stigmatises these issues. It isn't delicate or subtle or even clever, it's just offensive. We're not talking about that 'soft' offensiveness that got popular in certain games over the last few years either, this is the kind of offensive that will end friendships. Mechanically the game is about as complex and nuanced as gin rummy and honestly plays very similarly to that but with your hand played face up. Not only this but they haven't even bothered to be current/ accurate with their choice of terms with 'madness' and 'impotence' apparently being psychological diagnoses in this game, casually thrown in with 'suicidal thoughts', 'anxiety', 'anorexia', 'depression, and 'gambling addicition'. There's no denying the art is well done but honestly that's just a waste of talent; like putting Katie Hopkins or David Duke in a nice glittery outfit. The outside may shine but on the inside it's just bigotry and misinformation. It is genuinely baffling that someone who has experienced any of these issues could think this is acceptable and concerning that this game could do well enough for a successful Kickstarter and re-print. A couple of quotes from their Kickstarter (which also includes images based on phrenology) to give you an idea of the tone of this game: On starting the game - "You’re an impotent, anxious individual with a gambling addiction and the occasional thought of suicide." On resolving a card's effects - "Lucky for you, you’re already suffering from suicidal thoughts, so the only side effects that can affect you are depression and madness." On interacting with other players (yes the hashtag is real) - "Now, it’s your opponent’s turn, and he noticed your list of side effects and added depression to your Psyche. Maybe you can use your Therapy card to treat your depression—just beware, Therapy doesn’t prevent you from getting it again. #Relapse " Here's the question you need to ask yourself before buying this: Are you absolutely sure it's worth risking permanent damage to a relationship by bringing this to the table on game night (or even having it seen on your shelf)? Is it worth finding out someone you know has dealt with suicidal thoughts or gambling addiction or any of the other issues present by seeing the look of disgust on their face as this game and, by extension, you the purchaser of this game gleefully mock these traumas? I can alsotalso you now "it's just a bit of fun/ just a game" will not save that situation.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago