Welcome to my review of Simplicity, the game that claims less is more—except when it comes to snacks, in which case you should bring plenty. If you’ve ever wished setting up a board game took less time than debating pizza toppings, or longed for rules you can actually explain without a lawyer present, you may be in for a pleasant surprise. I’ve played this one with friends who range from board game newbies to people who think Agricola is a relaxing way to spend an evening. Buckle up—I’ll run through the rules, player drama, luck vs. strategy, and the (thankfully spill-proof) game bits, all with my usual flair for honest opinions, minor misadventures, and maybe a joke or two.
How It Plays
Setting up
Lay out the board in the center of your table. Give each player their set of colored pieces and a player board. Shuffle the deck of cards and place it face down—yes, upside down, unless you’re feeling wild. You’re now ready to go, and probably finished your first cup of coffee (or third).
Gameplay
On your turn, you’ll draw a card from the deck. Then, using the resources shown, you pick where to build on your little city board. You’ll need to think ahead, since everyone will grab the best spots if you wait too long. Sometimes, someone will steal the place you wanted and you’ll glare at them in silence—or loudly, if you’re me. There’s a bit of blocking and laughing, and a lot of “Wait, why did I do that?”
Winning the game
The game ends when all the cards run out or someone starts humming the Jeopardy theme out of boredom—just kidding, it never drags on that long. Add up the points from your buildings and any bonus goals you secretly completed. The player with the most points wins and gets bragging rights until someone flips the board in jealousy.
Want to know more? Read our extensive strategy guide for Simplicity.
Easy Rules, Happy Game Nights: Learning Simplicity Fast
First off, let’s talk about learning the game rules for Simplicity. Spoiler: they don’t make my head hurt, and that’s already a win. You know those games where you spend the first half hour arguing over what the word “adjacent” means? Simplicity is not that game. The rulebook is short, direct, and doesn’t feel like it was written by a grumpy lawyer. My friends and I picked it up in just a few minutes, which is great because my friend Tom’s attention span is about as long as a goldfish’s memory.
Simplicity absolutely nails its name when it comes to teaching. Even with friends who’ve never played modern board games, nobody got that glassy-eyed “I need a nap” look. The rules fit on one small booklet, and you’re setting up to play within ten minutes, unless you get distracted by snacks, which let’s be honest, is half the fun.
I have to give credit where it’s due—some games claim to be family-friendly or good for casuals, but Simplicity actually delivers on that promise. The turns are clear, the actions make sense, and there’s no weird jargon. The biggest confusion we had was deciding who got to go first, which, after a heated debate and a quick round of rock-paper-scissors, was solved.
If you like your games simple, but still fun and not boring, Simplicity hits the spot. Up next, I’ll chat about how the players mess with each other (or don’t) and whether you really get to outsmart your grandma. Stay tuned!
How Simplicity Puts Players in the Driver’s Seat (and Sometimes the Backseat)
Alright, let’s talk about player interaction and decision making in Simplicity. I played this one last weekend with my usual group, and let me tell you, we were more chatty than a flock of caffeinated parrots. This is not one of those games where everyone just stares at their own little board and mutters to themselves about lost hopes and dreams. Nope—Simplicity forces you to watch what everyone is doing, and sometimes, interfere just a little.
The core decisions in Simplicity feel, well, simple at first. But after a few rounds you realize the choices matter. Do I take that card now or leave it, hoping Sam won’t snatch it? Should I block Ellie’s plan, or go for my own sneaky win? Expect some friendly banter (and a bit of sabotage—looking at you, Ben) as you weigh each move. There’s just enough room to throw a wrench into someone else’s plans without it feeling mean. Once, I watched my buddy Tim gloat for five minutes after pulling off a surprise move—he still brings it up every time we play anything now.
Simplicity’s magic comes from letting you interact without slowing things down. No one is stuck waiting ages for their turn while someone ponders the meaning of life. You always feel in the mix. If you like talking, laughing, and plotting with your friends, this game delivers.
Next up: we’ll see if Simplicity is a brain burner of skill, or if you’re just rolling the dice and crossing your fingers—get ready for the ultimate luck vs. strategy showdown!
Luck vs. Strategy: Who’s Really Steering the Simplicity Ship?
I’ve played Simplicity at least eight times, and trust me, my competitive cousin certainly wishes luck played a bigger role. But here’s how it shakes out: strategy carries more weight than you’d guess. Sure, a dash of luck can mess up your grand plans—like drawing a card that throws your whole scheme into a tailspin. But most of the time, success in Simplicity comes down to out-thinking (or out-bluffing) your friends. And sometimes that means making hard choices while your friends watch you sweat.
Simplicity rewards players who plan ahead and pay attention to the board (yes, even if you’re juggling two snacks at once like me). I’ve tried winning by playing it safe and also by going full chaos goblin. Let’s just say, the strategic approach put me ahead more often than not. Random events don’t feel mean-spirited or game-breaking. I only threw my hands up in frustration once, which is a low average for me in any board game night.
That’s not to say Simplicity is chess. If you bank on perfect control, you’ll get a few surprises—sometimes good, sometimes not-so-good. But it never feels unfair or totally random. I’d give Simplicity a solid 4 out of 5 on the luck/skill scale. If you hate games where victory depends on a lucky roll, Simplicity is your jam.
Feeling curious about what’s in the box? Stay tuned, because next I’ll talk about Simplicity’s looks and whether the bits and pieces are worth showing off to your friends.
Component Quality and Visual Design: Is Simplicity as Simple as it Looks?
I have to admit, when I first opened the Simplicity box, I worried it might be so minimalist I’d lose all the bits in my couch. But turns out, minimal can still be mighty! The wooden pieces are solid—not the kind that chip if you sneeze. I dropped one on my hardwood floor, but it survived and, honestly, so did my foot. The cards are thick, like premium business cards, but way less pretentious and with no weird job titles.
Visually, Simplicity nails its own name. The art style is clean, with cheerful colors and easy-to-read symbols. There’s no neon glare or 3D hologram nonsense, but everything pops on the table and even my colorblind friend didn’t have to squint and guess, which is rare and much appreciated. The board is compact, but not cramped—my group loves the way it fits even on our tiny coffee table right next to the bowl of pretzels. The insert (yes, Simplicity comes with an actual insert!) deserves a standing ovation: setup and pack up take less time than it does to eat a handful of chips.
The only downside, if I’m really squinting for flaws, is the box art. It’s a little too, well, simple. It won’t win any shelf beauty contests, but at least it isn’t covered in dragons for once. Overall, Simplicity looks and feels good, even after many rounds.
Would I recommend Simplicity based on its components and design? For sure! It’s proof that simple doesn’t mean boring or cheap. Now, if only my snack bowl matched its style…
Conclusion
Alright, that wraps up my epic journey with Simplicity! This game lives up to its name: super quick to learn, no fuss, and it makes everyone at the table feel smart (even those who just learned what meeples are). The choices feel meaningful, it isn’t just a luck-fest, and the components are sturdy enough to survive an overly excited winner’s fist-pump. Sure, if you’re hunting for wild twists or a brain-melter, you might find Simplicity a bit gentle. But for families, casual gamers, or those tired of rulebooks thicker than their sandwich, it’s a total winner. I’ve had a blast with my friends—few arguments, lots of laughs, and nobody flipped the board. That’s a victory in my house.
Thanks for reading this review! Now go play something fun.
