Office Life is a game designed by Walter Sharrow, published by World Wide Chaos, Inc.. It is for 2-6 players. In this game, players are office workers competing for the bosses favor. They will be back stabbing, lying, cheating and stealing their way to victory. The player that is best able to control the chaos will be declared the winner.
To begin, the Boss card is placed on the table where everyone can see it. All the remaining cards are shuffled together and each player is dealt 6. All the attribute cards that a player receives are placed face up on the table and grouped together in front of the player. The remaining flaw and bonus cards in a player’s hand are kept. A 6 sided die is rolled once for each of the bosses abilities. A coin is placed on the proper spot for each of the 3 rolls. This shows the attributes that the boss loves, thinks is ok or hates, translating into 2, 1 or -1 points. This now gives each player a starting point value. Players are then dealt 3 new cards. Any attribute cards that are drawn may either be played or discarded as the player sees fit. Once all attributes have been dealt with the game can now begin.
On a player’s turn, they may either play a flaw or bonus card on themselves or on other players. Flaw cards negate attributes. Bonus cards are like action cards and they do what they say. Players can also discard cards. If a player runs out of cards, their turn is skipped, leaving them basically defenseless. Once every player has completely depleted their hand of cards, the game is over. Player’s add up their points. The player with the highest score, even if that number is negative, is the winner.
COMPONENTS
This game only comes with a stack of cards. The die and markers are not included and must be provided by you, much like games from Cheapass Games. This isn’t really a big deal as most everyone should have these lying around somewhere. I’m using some spare wooden cubes that I had laying around as markers. The cards have an interesting look and feel to them. I really like the post it note design and the humor on the cards. The cards are very well made and are easily shuffled and played with. I like the boss card and how easy it is to understand. All in all, the components are pretty good.
8 out of 10
RULEBOOK
The rulebook for this game is actually just a single card that has all the rules written on it. That’s how simple the game is. It fits nicely into the case with the other cards and isn’t overly lengthy. Being on a card, there are no pictures or anything of that nature but you really don’t need them. Personally I’d rather be playing a game then looking at a long lengthy rulebook anyway.
8 out of 10
GAMEPLAY
The game itself is really fun. It has a great take that feel to it but seems a bit luck oriented as well. The ability to really mess up the other players is really fun. It’s the randomness of the cards and what you’re dealt that has that luck feel to it. If you’re unlucky enough to get dealt no flaw or bonus cards, then you’re a sitting duck at the mercy of the other players. Not sure that I’m really crazy about that part. That’s why I recommend playing a best of series. The game is fast and easy enough that you can play it several times without spending a lot of time on it. In a 2 player game, playing a best of 3 series helps equal out the randomness and the luck factor just a bit. Of course with more players you will have to play more times. In any case, the game is light and fun and easy to learn and play. It’s a really fast game and can be played in about 3 minutes per player.
9 out of 10
OVERALL
Office Life is a really light card game of office politics. It’s a really nice filler game that plays really fast. Fans of the take that mechanic as well as those that like card games should really enjoy this game. It’s a game that can easily be carried to work and played on your lunch hour or whenever the boss isn’t watching. It’s really easy to learn and play, even non gamers can play this one and have a great time. I really enjoy the game and the design of the cards. This is a really fun game and one that even non office workers will like. Just remember that back stabbing and sucking up to the boss will only help you in the game and not in real life. Right?
9 out of 10
For more information about this and other great games, please check out World Wide Chaos at their site.
GAMING BITS 