{"id":422,"date":"2016-11-23T10:47:59","date_gmt":"2016-11-23T16:47:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/?p=422"},"modified":"2017-10-15T11:59:41","modified_gmt":"2017-10-15T16:59:41","slug":"review-seinfeld-happy-festivus-board-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/review-seinfeld-happy-festivus-board-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Seinfeld Happy Festivus Board Game"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_431\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-431\" style=\"width: 290px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-festivus-board-game.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-431 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-festivus-board-game-300x300.png\" alt=\"Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a &quot;Happy Festivus&quot; board game for myself. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way. \" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-festivus-board-game-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-festivus-board-game-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-festivus-board-game-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-festivus-board-game-330x330.png 330w, https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-festivus-board-game-860x860.png 860w, https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-festivus-board-game.png 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-431\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>The\u00a0Seinfeld Happy Festivus Board Game\u00a0is a Festivus miracle! So grab your Festivus Pole and travel the board while airing your grievances. Be the first to win the Ultimate Feats of Strength and you can be The Supreme Celebrator of Festivus. Can you do it?\u00a0<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>When people get together, they often share a love for a good, old-fashioned board game. In fact we have featured some great <a href=\"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/seinfeld-board-games-ready-for-festivus-fun\/\">Seinfeld board games<\/a> here in the past, however there has never been a board game specifically about Festivus. This all changed in September 2016, when the <strong><em>Seinfeld Happy Festivus Board Game<\/em><\/strong> was released.<\/p>\n<p>On first impression, the exterior of the box looks delightful, but do the contents\u00a0live up to the stringent requirements of a Festivus celebrant? Moreover, could this board game be an essential addition to a successful Festivus celebration?\u00a0 This is what we aimed to discover.<\/p>\n<p>The first step was to get a copy of the game. FestivusWeb.com actually contacted the distributor and asked for a review copy. This was a complete waste of time. No worries&#8230; we went ahead and ordered the game from an online store.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t cheap as it cost $29.99 (Canadian dollars) plus shipping. In the USA, you can find it on Amazon for as low as $24.99 USD.\u00a0 The price will probably settle down once it is not a \u201cnew\u201d item.\u00a0 \u00a0Of course, you might be able to pick it up on \u201cBlack Friday\u201d or \u201cCyber Monday\u201d and save a little, especially on shipping. My suggestion is to use Google and look for a bargain.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Get it on Amazon: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B01LX2G7CM\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B01LX2G7CM&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=festivusweb09-20&amp;linkId=efcc6b3ad98b20b429c5ab8d83616c3e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Festivus Board Game<\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=festivusweb09-20&amp;l=am2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B01LX2G7CM\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" \/><\/strong><\/p><div class=\"festi-after-4-paragraphs\" id=\"festi-1815521376\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- FestivusWeb Responsive -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3297689279938125\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3697394480\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><\/div>\n<div id=\"related-posts\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px; background-color: #333; color: pink;\">Related posts:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/seinfeld-board-games-ready-for-festivus-fun\/\">Seinfeld Board Games Ready for Festivus Fun<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/festivus-the-book\/\">A Festivus Pole Every Time You Turn The Page<\/a><\/div>\n<p>The game arrived in a few days, and the first impression upon opening the packing material was how the game box is truly beautiful.\u00a0It features the main Festivus characters, Frank, George and Kramer and includes other elements of Festivus, such as an aluminum pole. It should be noted, if Frank Costanza had made this game it would be offered in a plain corrugated cardboard box, with zero markings. Clearly, this is not the case.<\/p>\n<p>Opening the box, we soon discovered that the game board itself is another work of art.\u00a0 Sturdy, colorful and dashing it gives the game a spontaneous air of quality and fun. Combined with eight differently-colored plastic Festivus pole game markers they make for an excellent pairing.\u00a0 In fact, most of the game parts and pieces are very well done, with the exception of the &#8220;Festivus Cards&#8221;.\u00a0 We&#8217;ll get to that later.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-festivus-game-board.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-448 size-medium_large\" src=\"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-festivus-game-board-768x460.jpg\" alt=\"happy-festivus-game-board\" width=\"768\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-festivus-game-board-768x460.jpg 768w, https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-festivus-game-board-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-festivus-game-board-1024x614.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-festivus-game-board-860x515.jpg 860w, https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/happy-festivus-game-board.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Let\u2019s Rumble<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-439 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/feats-of-strength.jpg\" alt=\"feats-of-strength\" width=\"202\" height=\"196\" \/>The premise of the game is to be the first to win the \u201cUltimate Feats of Strength\u201d which (of course) makes you the \u201cSupreme Celebrator of Festivus\u201d. \u00a0\u00a0Makes sense.<\/p>\n<p>To get a chance to compete for the &#8220;Ultimate Feats of Strength&#8221; a player has to win four &#8220;Feats of Strength&#8221; competitions, which are held whenever a player lands on one of the corners of the board.<\/p>\n<p>According to the rules, the possible Feats of Strength competitions are agreed upon in advance by the game players. The game offers advice to some possibilities:\u00a0 Thumb wrestling, staring contest, who can do the most push-ups, who can hold their breath the longest, rock paper scissors, dice roll, who can place a hand in a bucket of ice the longest, who can balance on one foot with their eyes closed the longest, or who can whistle the loudest.<\/p>\n<p>Some of these are great suggestions, as they would be enjoyable and quick.\u00a0 However, &#8220;dice roll&#8221; sounds like a complete dud and might only be suitable if you are playing the game in a retirement home.\u00a0 Might we suggest &#8220;who can make the other person smile&#8221; as an alternate suggestion? At least there would be laughter!<\/p>\n<p>Once a person has won four separate &#8220;Feats of Strength&#8221; competitions, they now have the chance to progress to the center of the board where they can become the victor by winning the \u201cUltimate Feats of Strength\u201d. \u00a0It may sound ominous, however it&#8217;s actually just one more Feats of Strength competition.\u00a0Sounds like a fun game right? But there&#8217;s more&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-438 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/airing-of-grievances.jpg\" alt=\"airing-of-grievances\" width=\"170\" height=\"168\" \/>As you roll the dice and move around the board you might land on an &#8220;Airing of Grievances&#8221; square.\u00a0 In this case, you are forced to air a grievance against another player.\u00a0 The game provides a cute airing of grievances note pad in which to record your grievance. Afterward, the receiving player is to stick the note on their person and wear it for the remainder of the game. \u00a0It&#8217;s a great concept, however in the game we reviewed the notes weren&#8217;t actually &#8220;sticky-notes&#8221;, and a roll of tape was required if they were to be stuck to any person.<\/p>\n<p>It should be noted that the game designers shrewdly advise the players not to make the grievances too personal, and even include the disclaimer, \u201cthe makers of this board game will not be held responsible for any break ups or disinheriting that may result from the airing of grievances.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>What is interesting is how the &#8220;Airing of Grievances&#8221; are quite inconsequential to the results of the game play. It seems that this element has been included just to keep the game true to the Festivus motif, and hopefully add some fun.\u00a0 That being said, maybe it would be wise to cautiously air your grievances with fun and frivolity. \u00a0For example, a grievance against your aunt might read, &#8220;I don&#8217;t get enough of her delicious cookies.&#8221;\u00a0 Just let her wear that around like a badge of shame for the entire game and you&#8217;ll be sure to receive a delicious package of goodies in the near future.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-440 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/festivus-card.jpg\" alt=\"festivus-card\" width=\"204\" height=\"209\" \/>Another element of game play occurs when you land on a &#8220;Festivus Card\u201d square. In this case you are asked to pick a Festivus card from the pile and follow the instructions. Most of the Festivus cards contain humorous directions which loosely tie the play of the game to the actual Seinfeld Festivus episode.\u00a0 For example: \u201cLose a Turn, you get caught giving someone a fake phone number\u201d or \u201cMove backward 2 spaces, Jerry makes you give back the $20,000 Human Fund donation\u201d.\u00a0 Admittedly though, some of the cards are rather lame, such as \u201cMove backwards 2 spaces, the Festivus pole falls on your cat.\u201d\u00a0 Clearly the writers of the questions aren&#8217;t as skilled as the <em>Seinfeld <\/em>writers.<\/p>\n<p>As for the &#8220;Festivus&#8221; cards themselves, they are a bit of a let down.\u00a0 Where every other physical element of the game is beautifully designed, the cards have mismatched and oddly sized fonts.\u00a0 Also, the text seems to be written in Yoda-speech, where the subject and the explanation are turned around. For example, one card states, \u201cLose a Turn &#8211; You get caught giving someone a fake phone number\u201d. \u00a0Wouldn&#8217;t it be better if the card read, &#8220;You get caught giving someone a fake phone number &#8211; Lose a turn.\u201d\u00a0 However, this is a minor point and it shouldn&#8217;t stop anyone from enjoying the game play.\u00a0 Of course, having the players read the cards aloud using a Yoda voice would alleviate the issue.<\/p>\n<p>The game is designed for 2 to 8 players (ages 12 and up), however playing this game with only two players would be as dull as dishwater.\u00a0 Certainly, with this game, the more the merrier. \u00a0Still, the quality of your experience would\u00a0largely depend on the quality of the people around the table. \u00a0If you play this game with a fun-loving bunch, the laughs will be long-lasting.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, this board game may be a decent addition to any Festivus celebration. In reality, it is nearly a complete Festivus in a box; When it comes to the four major elements of Festivus, this game covers three: The Festivus Pole, the Airing of Grievances and the Feats of Strength.<\/p>\n<p>All you need to provide is a slab of meat loaf.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Rating<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Box and game board are beautifully designed; Game elements are true to Festivus; Game play encourages maximum participation; Easy to play.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong>\u00a0Game experience depends largely on the players; &#8220;Festivus&#8221; cards are poorly written; Airing of Grievance sticky notes are limited in quantity and they aren\u2019t even sticky.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Grade:<\/strong> 4 out of 5 &#8211; Recommended for fun-loving Festivus fans.<\/p>\n<h2>Purchasing<\/h2>\n<p>Get it on Amazon:<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B01LX2G7CM\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B01LX2G7CM&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=festivusweb09-20&amp;linkId=efcc6b3ad98b20b429c5ab8d83616c3e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Festivus Board Game<\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=festivusweb09-20&amp;l=am2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B01LX2G7CM\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"festi-content-placement\" id=\"festi-503827610\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- FestivusWeb Responsive -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3297689279938125\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"3697394480\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When people get together, they often share a love for a good, old-fashioned board game. In fact we have featured some great Seinfeld board games here in the past, however there has never been a board game specifically about Festivus. This all changed in September 2016, when the Seinfeld Happy Festivus Board Game was released. &#8230; <a title=\"Review: Seinfeld Happy Festivus Board Game\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/review-seinfeld-happy-festivus-board-game\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Review: Seinfeld Happy Festivus Board Game\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":431,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[13,24],"class_list":["post-422","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-festivus","tag-board-games","tag-festivus"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=422"}],"version-history":[{"count":44,"href":"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":607,"href":"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/422\/revisions\/607"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/431"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=422"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=422"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/festivusweb.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=422"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}