Scribble is a game built on an old pencil-to-paper gaming concept that has been around for decades. Bear Box Media has taken that concept and expanded upon it methodically through unique modes that bring some style and choices to the package, thus breathing life, as well as fun, into it.
Rarely does a family like mine want to play a game together that isn’t labeled ‘Mario’ on the front. It’s a new day for my Wii U.
Scribble is a simple game with a simple concept built into it — draw and guess. In the same vein as Pictionary, minus the television show from the 80s, Scribble takes that simple concept and adds in a sprinkle of competition and teamwork through a series of different modes of play. While the main game is pretty much a clone of Dictionary at a certain level, the modes are what really separate it from its point of origin.
Here’s a breakdown of Scribble modes:
Versus – You compete head to head against someone. This is a dangerous mode for us at home because my kids are rotten to each other. It’s probably fine for adults, but it’s a risky move for my family. It’s a helluva mode, but nothing really out of the ordinary from the original game played on paper.
Teams – Honestly, this is the gold standard mode that we played. You choose teams and you go head-to-head with teams to see which team gets the most right. Vicious? Absolutely. Hilarious and laugh-filled? More than expected. The game is structured with red team versus blue team, with each team size being 2-6. We played this mode the most and enjoyed it.
Elimination – Oh, this is competitive. If people don’t guess the picture, you’re out! It’s a twist and it puts pressure on the artist. As you go through each round, the rounds are reduced by 5 seconds. Lots of fun, and stress, to be had in this mode.
Tug ‘o’ Draw – The first mode we tested. Kind of like teams, except as you guess the words right each round, the total for each team adds to either a tug of the rope or the loss of it. It’s a long game to play, especially if everyone is on their word guessing game. It is a neat concept that works well with the rest of the modes provided.
Barricade – I’m going to let you experience this one. Enjoy it. ENJOOOOYYY IT.
Just Doodle – Lots of butts were drawn in this mode. My kids are weirdos.
Word Creator – Just what it says it does.
The simple changes to each mode puts some new perspective on how to play this game. It was amazing, and had to be methodical, the way the design of each mode was planned out. It could have been easy to throw in a Pictionary clone and slap a $3.99 price tag on it, but it seems that Bear Box Media truly put some solid thought into what it could do with a simple, old concept like this one. It’s a fresh take on drawing visual descriptors for words. The modes are proof of this.
That said, folks, I cannot state this enough, my family, which is spoiled to death with gaming (I bring home games that I review), and that usually give a day or two to games before moving on, is going on day four of playing this game every night I get home. This game is addictive and it has hooked them. I haven’t seen the Wii U get this much play since the last Mario game. It’s a renewal of the console in my household. I’m thoroughly impressed with Scribble.
Having said all this, it’s not perfect.
The longevity of the gameplay will be a concern. I’m sure at some point the family will move on and may not revisit it for a few months. I can see it getting a major break, especially when a few more AAA titles hit with the Nintendo Switch. Now, the forgiving factor for that future move will be the price point of the game. The game delivers so much for the $3.99 asking price. I can’t think of another game that brings my family together like this one for that price. It will be hard to find something that compares to it and keeps every member (and age) of my family together for some stupid fun. Kudos to Bear Box Media for renewing an old game concept like this and making it interesting for a new generation of gamers.