Halloween is Scary, But Politics (Games) Are Even Scarier
How are your anxiety levels this week? High? Will election-themed games lower or raise that? Let’s find out together.
It’s Halloween! Happy Halloween. This is unironically my favorite holiday of the year because my former-cosplayer heart just wants to dress up, hang out, and watch horror movies. But tomorrow is November. And Tuesday is the election. Which I think we can all agree is far, far scarier than Halloween. So if you’re a glutton for punishment, need a way to lean into the existential dread but in a fun way, or just like having a game on your shelf for every occasion, these are the games to get for that Tuesday night game-night-slash-constantly-refreshing-news-sites fest.
1. Monopoly: House Divided
How are your friendships doing through his election season? You know the ones I’m talking about. Somehow still hanging on? That’s cool. You know what’ll really drive that last nail into the coffin? That’s right, Monopoly. I’ve watch family members forced to drive home from weekly dinner separately over games of Monopoly. And this one is politically themed! Fantastic. Also, Monopoly has an interesting and surprisingly political history you may not know about.
2. Debatable
Are your relationships strengthened through argument? Do the ‘boos’ power and sustain you? Debatable may be the game for you. Players are tasked to debate various topics ranging from serious to silly to controversial—one card has both “Who would win in a fight between a vampire and a werewolf” and “Is the death penalty a good way to reduce crime?” Just to give you an idea. And you and two to fifteen of your closest frenemies can take the metaphorical debate stage and get to the bottom of it all.
3. Votes for Women
What if we could break down the entire women’s suffrage movement to a six-turn card game? Complete with convincing Congress to pass the Nineteenth Amendment. If you were the kind of kid who was excited when Schoolhouse Rock came on, this might be the game for you. Will anyone play it with you? Well, I would, but anybody else? Luckily, Votes for Women has a solo mode.
4. Spin Doctor
Spin Doctor calls itself a ‘card game of dirty politics’ and it focuses on lying, debating, and mudslinging your way into the Oval Office. Just like the real election, you need 270 points to win. But states are up for grabs until the last minute so play strategically.
5. Election Night!
This is another game that tries to make the Electoral College fun and silly. But on top of being a game about civics and democracy, this is a math game! I know that’s going to sound like torture to some, but some of us genuinely enjoy math. Personally, I enjoy math a lot more than thinking about this election cycle.
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