Matthew BaileyAfter a string of middling games and disappointments, I am pleased to say that today’s game, Paws Up, is finally the one to break the cycle. For the first time in over a week, I’m actually going to recommend a game!
Paws Up is a really cute set collection game based around Instagram-style selfies for your pets, where you’re essentially trying to collect the best combinations of hats, animals, and backgrounds. The idea is simple but charming, and the whole thing is wrapped up in very sweet artwork.
The Game is laid out with piled of collections in order with the higher scoring amount at the top. You are trying to complete Stories by getting sets of three matching animals, locations, or Paws. Do it, and you’ll claim one of the big-scoring Story cards, which makes a huge difference by the end of the game.
So, how does it play? Each round, a few new cards are revealed to the table starting with one animal and rotating through meaning that everything isnt instantly available and equally its possible to run out of time to collect an animal, and everyone secretly picks one card from their hand to play. The number of Paws on that card decides the turn order, with baby animals being special cards that always sneak to the front of the queue. Then, in turn order, you swap the card you played with one from the display, adding the new card to your hand.
The 3 cards left over are swept to one side and discarded and taken out of play.
What I really like is that you only have a small hand of cards to manage, so every choice feels important. Sometimes you’ll happily grab what you need; other times you’ll overbid or underbid and hope no one else nabs the card you’re desperate for. There’s a lovely tension between trying to collect what you personally want and denying others that all-important piece for their Story. By the end of the 13 rounds, everyone totals up their Paws, and the player with the cutest profile wins.
It’s a very simple set collection game at heart, but it has a surprising amount of bite thanks to the bidding and racing for those Story cards. Playing down your card, knowing full well that half the table probably wants the same thing you do, is a great feeling. I’ve always liked set collection games where your collections overlap and clash with others, and Paws Up delivers that in a snappy, family-friendly way.
The cards are good quality, the artwork is absolutely lovely, and the whole presentation just makes you smile. Overall, Paws Up is a light, enjoyable, and charming little set collection game that I would happily recommend.
