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About Imagine
Imagine is a picture-clue party game that started in Japan and was published in English by Gamewright. The clue-giver has to get the table to guess a word or phrase without speaking, using 61 transparent cards printed with simple white icons. Cards can be overlapped, arranged and even moved around to act things out. It feels like Pictionary for people who cannot draw, and the clever combinations are a pleasure to watch.
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Is Imagine Right for You?
Best for
Imagine is for groups who like Pictionary or charades but do not want to draw or act. It is best with five or six players and works up to eight. It suits creative groups who enjoy puzzling out clever visual clues.
Maybe skip it if…
The box says 12+, and some enigmas assume general knowledge that younger children may not have. Players who find abstract thinking stressful may feel stuck as clue-giver.
How to Play Imagine
Setup
Spread the 61 transparent cards face up in the middle of the table. Shuffle the Enigma cards and set out the scoring tokens.
On Your Turn
- The clue-giver draws an Enigma card and another player chooses a number, which picks the enigma to be clued.
- The clue-giver builds a clue silently from the transparent cards, overlapping, arranging and moving them as needed.
- Players call out guesses as soon as the first card goes down.
- The first player to guess correctly and the clue-giver each take a point token.
How to Win
Play until every player has had two enigmas guessed. The most tokens wins; a tie is settled with one more round.
💡 Strategy Tips
Start with a broad idea or shape, then narrow it down. Moving a card across the table to show motion often says more than adding another card.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using too many cards at once. A cluttered clue is harder to read than a simple one.
- Forgetting that cards can move. Sliding a card across the table to show motion is often the clearest clue.
- Building the whole clue before showing it. Guessing starts as soon as the first card goes down, so lay cards one by one and let the table react.
- Guessers staying quiet. Call out every idea, because the first right guess scores.
Advanced Strategy
- Start broad, then narrow down. Show the general idea first, such as a person or a place, then add detail.
- Use stacking to combine ideas, like placing a crown on top of a face to show a king.
- Watch what the guessers are saying and adjust your clue as you go.
- As a guesser, think about the shape of the whole clue, not just one card.
Variants & House Rules
House rule: team play
Split into two teams with a clue-giver each, taking turns. It makes the game more relaxed for larger groups.
House rule: time limit
Use a sand timer or phone timer to stop slow rounds and add a bit of pressure.
Video Guides
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Our Verdict
Imagine is a clever party game that rewards creativity over drawing skill. We recommend it for groups who want something fresh between rounds of Pictionary or charades. It is at its best with five to eight players who enjoy thinking visually.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players is it best with?
Five or six, though it works from three to eight. With more players, there are more people guessing, so rounds go quickly.
Do you need to be good at drawing?
No. You build clues from printed transparent cards, so drawing skill does not matter.
How does scoring work?
The first player to guess correctly and the clue-giver each take a point token. The game ends when every player has had two enigmas guessed.