Girl Genius: The Works

About this board game

Girl Genius: The Works is a non-collectible card game for 2–4 players, with play lasting about 30 minutes. It is a family-friendly reworking of the CCG XXXenophile, featuring colorful cards inspired by the Girl Genius setting.

Each player begins with a five-card hand, while 12 cards are placed face-down in a patchwork pattern. Every card has colored symbols along its edges, a point value, and special instructions that may help or hinder the player who reveals it.

On a turn, reveal one face-down card, then spin any face-up card 180 degrees. If symbols along the spun card’s edges match symbols on one or more surrounding cards, you pop the card or cards with the most matching symbols. Popping means following the instructions on the card and then, usually, adding it to your score pile.

• Use cards from your hand to replace cards that have been popped.
• Match colored edge symbols to trigger card effects.
• Follow helpful or harmful instructions as cards enter your score pile.
• Race to 100 points or capture a combination of submarine and dirigible cards.

The game’s artwork and theme are designed so families can play without the embarrassment associated with the original game’s mature presentation, although a couple of cards feature scantily dressed women. Unlike most Cheapass Games releases, Girl Genius: The Works was professionally manufactured with full-color, laminated cards and rounded corners.