Skip to content

Game Review: SKULLS AND ROSES

Written By:

Ed Fortune
skulls-and-roses-review

Skulls and Roses Review

Review: Skulls and Roses / Designer: Hervé Marly / Publisher: Asmodee / Release Date: Out Now

Skulls and Roses is an incredibly simple bluffing-based card game. Players pick a set of cards, each one apparently representing a biker gang. Each card is double sided: on one side is the symbol of the gang, on the other is either a skull or a rose. Players then lay out their cards face down, working out when and where to hide their skull cards. Bidding then begins, each player betting on how many cards they reckon they can turn over without revealing a skull. If the player turns over a skull, they lose a card from their deck. Play continues until someone wins two bids without penalty.

The game itself is a lot of fun; a straightforward game that involves a touch of fibbing and a poker face. Laughs are fast and frequent, usually at the expense of a fellow player who has miscounted and it’s all gone terribly wrong for them.

Theme can often be everything when it comes to a good board game. For example, the enduring (and slightly bizarre) appeal of Monopoly comes from the notion that it’s a game of becoming very rich very quickly; who doesn’t want to be a wealthy land-owning millionaire? This touch of fantasy can often make up for poor mechanics or something that’s maybe a bit dull (such as the gameplay of Monopoly). Sadly, the reverse is also true. Skulls and Roses suffers from a poor theme; despite rather nice gang style art on the cards, it doesn’t feel very ‘biker gang’. The accompanying rule book desperately tries to add a touch of spice to the affair, giving silly (but macho) sounding names to various aspects of game play and implying a level of danger and violence. This just makes the whole affair feel even less convincing and takes away from the fun.

Skulls and Roses is a fun little game for up to six players that can easily kill some time, perhaps whilst waiting for others to turn up to game session. It’s just a pity that it’s spoilt by a theme that doesn’t suit the game.

Ed Fortune

You May Also Like...

First-Look Images and Sizzle Reel for Disturbing Shocker CARA

You can now get your first look at the upcoming disturbing kitchen sink horror film CARA, directed by Hayden Hewitt (Lips) and starring Ellie O’Hara, Johnny Vivash, Laurence R. Harvey,
Read More
chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More