Game Review: Deduckto
Today’s review is for Deduckto, an animal-themed logic card game for 2-4 players.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary game for review from Timberdoodle. All views expressed are my own.
Deduckto
What would a game called “Deduckto” be other than “a quacking deduction game”? It’s recommended for 2-4 “ducktectives” ages 8 and up. Players use logic and deduction to figure out which animal character is wearing what disguise and where.
What’s Included
Deduckto includes a deck of 49 Suspect cards, 4 Suspect guides, and a rules sheet neatly packed in a sturdy, compact box. The average playtime is approximately 15 minutes.
Suspect cards each display one of the animal characters wearing a disguise in a specific location. The animal suspects are: Franny Fox, Paulie Pigeon, Bruno Bear, Dante Dog, Pinky Pig, Clyde Cat, and Roxy Rabbit. Possible disguises are sunglasses, mustache, hat, bandana, wig, monocle, mask. Locations include mountains, library, pier, park, city, aquarium, desert.
How to Play
Each player gets a Suspect guide for reference throughout the game. The dealer shuffles the deck of Suspect cards and deals five to each player. Players then pick up their hands and hold them with cards concealed from other players. Then the dealer deals one more card, face down, to each player. This is your secret suspect. Without looking at it, add that card to your hands with just that one facing out so everyone but you can see it. Leftover cards are stacked face down in the middle.
Play begins with each player simultaneously passing a card to the player on their left. This card should share at least one attribute (animal, disguise, location) with the suspect card that player is holding. If you don’t have a card that shares an attribute, you can just pass a random card, but tell the player that none of the attributes match. At this point each player starts two stacks in front of them: a “yes” pile (for cards with clues matching your Suspect) and a “no” pile (for cards where nothing matches). These piles will help you make deductions as you gather more clues.
Play continues with each player drawing a Suspect card from the stack in the middle to replace the card they gave away. The game is over when one player is able to correctly guess his secret suspect.
My Thoughts
Deduckto has appeal for all ages. The quirky artwork is hilarious, with solemn animals wearing ridiculous disguises. Even children too young to understand the rules of play could be entertained and occupied with sorting and matching the cards.
In many ways, Deduckto reminds me of the classic board game Clue. I mean, other than being a card game rather than a board game. And having animal characters instead of Professor Plum, Colonel Mustard, and their friends. And disguises rather than weapons. Also, it’s not in a mansion. But other than that, yeah, very similar.
I have always loved the logic of Clue, and this is a fun variation on that theme. However, the biggest advantage is that, being a card game, it’s much more compact, making it perfect for travel. We will enjoy having it in our collection.
More Ducky Fun
Check out my review of Abducktion:
