The Vibe Party Game Review

Jim Gamer
1 day ago
3 min read

The Vibe

WBG Score: 7.5/10

Player Count: 2-6

You’ll like this if you like: Party games that create fun discussions

Published by: Uloomi

This is a free review copy of the game. See our review policy here.

The Vibe is a game that merges art with cooperative board game fun. It's a game about opinion, decision, and trying to understand how other players think. It has been designed with the idea of developing discussions about social ideas, equality, tyranny, and democracy. Big ambitions! But it works. And instantly. This is a game you can learn in under a minute, teach in less, and get playing with your friends right away. But is it any fun? Let's get it to the table and find out.

How To Set Up The Vibe

Start by shuffling the cards. They are postcard-sized, so this is not easy, but they are bendy enough to make it manageable. Then deal out five cards face up in a line, and place cards face down in a line above this. You are now ready to play.

How To Play The Vibe

One person will act as the Vibe. They will choose one of the five words shown on the five cards that best fit the five paintings. They will then rearrange the five paintings in order of which one best and least suits the word they have chosen. The rightmost picture will best suit the chosen word, and the leftmost picture will be the least suitable. The other players then need to guess which word was chosen by looking at the new order of the pictures. They will make their guess. If they are right, the team gains a point. Either way, the player acting as the Vibe should explain their thinking at this point, and players can discuss their thoughts either way. The idea of the game is to win three in a row. But of course, play however you see fit.

Let's play now. Look at the five words above and the five pictures underneath. I will choose one word as the Vibe and rearrange the pictures. OK...

They are now in a new order. Can you guess which word I chose? (Answers at the bottom)

Is It Fun? The Vibe Party Game Review

Why It Works?

The Vibe succeeds because it strips a cooperative experience down to its most human element: interpretation. By asking one player to connect abstract art with a single word, then explain that thinking, the game naturally creates conversation, curiosity, and moments of genuine insight. It works almost instantly, with no rules overhead to get in the way, and delivers exactly what it promises: meaningful discussion driven by differing perspectives.

Why it might not

That same openness will not be for everyone. The Vibe has no hidden systems, no optimisation, and very little in the way of traditional game structure. If your group prefers clear objectives, mechanical depth, or competitive tension, this may feel more like a guided conversation than a game. The scoring condition is deliberately light, and for some players it may feel almost incidental.

Who will and won’t enjoy it

The Vibe is an excellent fit for groups that enjoy discussion-heavy games, creative interpretation, or social experiences where talking is the point. It works particularly well with mixed-experience groups, non-gamers, classrooms, or as an opener or closer to a game night. Players who dislike ambiguity, abstract art, or games without clear “right answers” may struggle to connect with it.

Pros

Extremely fast to learn and teach
Encourages discussion and shared understanding
Cooperative and inclusive by design
Strong thematic link between art, words, and interpretation
Flexible win condition that suits different groups

Cons

Very light on traditional game mechanics
Scoring may feel unimportant
Relies heavily on group engagement and conversation
Abstract art will not appeal to everyone

The Vibe is less about winning and more about listening, interpreting, and understanding how others see the world. It delivers on its ambitious goals by creating space for discussion without overcomplicating the experience. While it will not suit groups looking for depth or competition, it shines as a thoughtful, accessible, and genuinely social game that does something refreshingly different at the table.

Oh, and I picked Tradition. Did you guess right? I felt the picture on the far right best suited this with its depiction of two women in traditional Japanese clothing. Then I felt there was a religious image, showing the traditions respected in most religions. Then a traditional family unit, a less traditional workplace, and finally some carts! Does this make sense to you? Well, either way, you have now played this game! Go log it on BGG quick!