Dictatorship Card Game (Pronounced Maaaad Cow)

My family (of adults) and I found this game to be very fun and entertaining, though pretty confusing at first. It was easy to get lost in all the rules and forget whose turn it was to go next. I recommend either the creators of the game (who also created Quelf, one of my most favorite games of all time) include a token that players can pass down the line after their turn so you don't get confused. We ended up using a mini stapler.There are certain situations where there will be two players who will keep going on having to pick up the discard pile between them, so we decided to play a round of paper-rock-scissors to decide who ended up having to be the Cheeta' (the lowest in the Chain of Quaommand). It's hard to explain, but you'll see what I mean if you play the game for very long.Another thing that got confusing—hence the need for some sort of token while playing—is when people started switching wild cards of other characters/roles for the wild cards they needed for their roles. There's no rule in the instructions stating how long before the exchanging of '1's/wild cards is null, so we decided that you have to be quick enough to switch—even yelling "Switch!" to further lesson confusion as to whose turn it is—before someone else lays a card other than a '1' on top of it. This keeps people from switching later in the game if they happen to draw a wild card they want to switch and the discard pile has amassed to a sizable stack.We ended up playing about nine rounds before we finally called it quits for a while. The Quao rules just kept stacking up and things really got insane—err, "mad"—and we just had to give it up. But we were back playing in no time. There are a few Bully Rules cards that involve not touching another player, so when you're playing as Bully Q and get the Bully Wild card that mentions sticking someone with your "finger horns" just remember that you are immune to your own rules!I've never played the original Quao game, and since I have this version, I don't see myself getting the original. Mad Quao is more than enough! Overall, I give this game a 4 out of 5. Definitely fun for everyone, but I can see why it's recommended for Teens+; it can be a bit confusing to younger minds.

It is a fun game. The only problem is some of my younger kids can tell it is fun and want to join in on it, but just aren't quite ready for it yet. One of our favorite Quao rules so far is "No speaking any numbers".

SUPER FUN PARTY GAME

Super fun!

This was a gift but I've heard good things

Doesn't play as well as the white cover version.

I'll start by saying I've never played the original version of this game and, from what I've read of the original's reviews, this one is nothing like it in concept. This is NOT an expansion pack for Quao and you do not have to know how to play Quao to play Mad Quao.You need at least 3 people and as many as 8 to play Mad Quao. Game play follows dictatorship rules: each player assumes a role and there is a distinct Chain of Quaomand that is followed. It's like Animal Farm in game form! :) "Quao" is in charge and does not have to follow the same rules as the other players - and it doesn't take long for the power to go to Quao's head!The game is played in rounds. Once you've gone through all the cards in the deck, Quao is dethroned. The first person to get rid of all the cards in their hand takes over as Quao; the remaining players keep playing to determine the rest of the hierarchy (the second player to get rid of all their cards is 2nd in command, and so on). The kicker is that, at the beginning of a round, a special Quao Rule is put into effect (Quao, of course, does not have to follow this rule). In the next round, the first Quao Rule remains AND a new Quao Rule is chosen, so the game gets progressively more difficult/cruel/controlling as you go on!According to the game documentation, "there is no winning, there is only enduring". You don't "win" Mad Quao, you play until you're ready to quit! I think this is a plus for the game because you're not locked in to playing for 90 minutes or more unless you just want to. If you only have time for one round, it's still very fun (but I promise you'll want to play more!).The box says the suggested age is "Teen +" but there's nothing blatantly adult about the game. My son is 11 and watched us play... he was skeptical when he heard us reading through the rules so he decided to sit it out, but by the time we were done he was wanting to join in. I'd say just use your best judgement as it probably depends on your child's personality and maturity level, but the game isn't "adult" in nature or theme (no curse words, obscene rules or suggestions, etc). Some kids younger than 14 just might not be into it but, if they are, my vote is to let them play!If you've ever played We Didn't Playtest This At All (an absolutely GREAT game, by the way), this is kind of similar. Mad Quao does have a few more actual rules/more structure than Playtest, but the concept is very similar - just do what the cards tell you to do.

Mad Quao (pronounced `maaaad cow') and yes I recommend saying it that way. It sort of sets the mood for the whole game and is just plain fun. If you have ever plaid Quao (or read my review) you already know that Quao is the ultimate dictator and all must obey! That is about where the similarities end in this new version.This game is not meant for kids and in fact anyone younger than about 12 should probably avoid this game. It isn't graphic, vulgar or negative in anyway so don't panic! The game is very fun but the humor can be older and requires a lot of reading and remembering. If you have teens and are looking for a way to bring them back to Family Game Night this is a perfect game for that! of my review on My Geeklings here - [...] Read more