Geek vs Life

Hey I know another board game review. This is not even created in Germany. It was created by a man who now lives in Oregon. There is very little strategy in the game, and in fact takes place over a standard board. The game is not a parody of life, but a respectful update. It now includes social economic class, gender discrepancies, and other life realities. You know like drugs, sex, and war. It is called “The Game of Real Life.”

The goal in this board game is similar to “Life,” it has a middle and end. There are jobs, and spaces where life happens. The objective is different. In “Life” the goal is to have the most money at the end. In the game of “Real Life,” it is to have the most happiness when you die. In this game like real life, money does not equate to happiness.

Also in this game you can die without making it to other side of the board. In fact it is quite common. Just like real life, “real life” has life threatening emergencies. You could have a heart attack which kills you before middle age. What determines when you die? Health points (hp). You roll how many you get at the start of the game. As you progress the board you will land on spaces that give you health points, happiness, or loss of health points. You will never lose happiness you have gained just like real life.

Is it a Role Playing Games?  Kinda. After randomness gives you,  your sex, class, and healthiness, you name the child. As you progress on the board, life events occur. For example you have created a rich girl with 30 hp. You name her Paris. Now at first she comes across her being spoiled, but she gets attacked for being the wrong skin tone. Then her father murders an Olympic Wrestler. How does that affect Paris? Especially when she lands on the space of finding spirituality. Maybe she converts to another religion, like Islam. Who knows? The spaces determine your character. To facilitate this you have a diary on your score card.

You can write down how you character changes. How these life events change her life. You can just keep track of happiness, money, and health of course. Yet it is more fun, when you write down these events and changes like a diary. It is notably true after the winner is declared, and each player reads out how their life developed. It is riot.

A couple of notes, as mentioned earlier, a character can die early in the game, however they can still win. Like real life, “Real Life” gives more happiness for riskier behavior. Lots of drugs are fun, but you may become addicted, and OD on said drug(s). Additionally drugs, and sex are optionally. You can decide if your character participates in these activities or not. Nobody can force you to have sex or take drugs. It boils down to choices. (Your character’s choices may influence what they choose or not choose. Or you can play strategically. This is a fun and easy game to play. Those with more imagination will enjoy it more. It sometimes boils down to a weird creative writing assignment.

This is not meant to be an official game rules. The game is exclusively sold at www.gameofreallife.com so buy it there.