Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy fast, chatty card games, this title delivers with smooth mechanics and a fun theme.
Highlights
- Smooth hand management
- Quick ladder climb
- Short playtime
Keep in mind
- Limited deep interaction
- Simple components
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
The streets of Batish Columbia are still buzzing from the Batiff film festival that just wrapped. You and your colony of fruit‑eating bats drift into the local fruit stall, ready to trade movie impressions while munching on juicy drupes. The bat etiquette is simple: the player who ends a topic gets to start the next, but since these bats love to chatter, you’ll want to speak up before the fruit goes bad.
Bested Another Time turns that scene into a 15‑25 minute card game for 1‑6 players. Each participant manages their hand – deciding which cards to play, keep, or discard – while trying to climb the "ladder" of discussion topics. Passing your turn isn’t just a waste; it grants perks that can speed up your climb. Yet anyone who hasn’t yet climbed can keep playing, even solo, keeping the flow alive when someone bows out of a conversation.
The design is lightweight (weight 1.5/5) and uses traditional‑style cards, making the learning curve gentle. Hand Management forces you to think strategically about when to discard or hold a card, while Ladder Climbing creates a fun race to the top of the talk. Supporting 1‑6 players, it works great as a quick filler between larger games or as a solo pastime on a movie night. If you enjoy fast, thematic games that let you gab a little while you play, Bested Another Time will have you flapping with delight.
Bested Another Time turns that scene into a 15‑25 minute card game for 1‑6 players. Each participant manages their hand – deciding which cards to play, keep, or discard – while trying to climb the "ladder" of discussion topics. Passing your turn isn’t just a waste; it grants perks that can speed up your climb. Yet anyone who hasn’t yet climbed can keep playing, even solo, keeping the flow alive when someone bows out of a conversation.
The design is lightweight (weight 1.5/5) and uses traditional‑style cards, making the learning curve gentle. Hand Management forces you to think strategically about when to discard or hold a card, while Ladder Climbing creates a fun race to the top of the talk. Supporting 1‑6 players, it works great as a quick filler between larger games or as a solo pastime on a movie night. If you enjoy fast, thematic games that let you gab a little while you play, Bested Another Time will have you flapping with delight.
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
REC
2
BEST
3
REC
4
REC
5
BEST
6
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Gotcha Gotcha Games
Designer
Taylor Reiner
Artist
別府さい (Sai Beppu)
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
247owners
178wishlist
38want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can play?
1 to 6 players, suitable for solo play or a small group.
What is the playing time?
Typically 15–25 minutes, depending on player count.
How complex is the game?
Very low complexity (weight 1.5/5), easy to learn and play.
What components are included?
A traditional playing‑card deck with bat‑and‑fruit themed artwork.
Who is the game best for?
Anyone who enjoys quick, thematic games that allow chatting during play.
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