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Cover of the game It's Alive!

It's Alive!

Reiver Games · Board game · 2007
5.0 Ludopedia
6.2 BoardGameGeek
2–5 · best 4
15–30 min
Weight 1.6/5
Year 2007
Minimum age 12+
Buy
5.0 rating Ludopedia
6.2 rating BoardGameGeek
Buy
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Fans of quick games with bizarre themes will love 'It's Alive!'. It’s gothic madness: you bid on body parts, burn cash, and sabotage rivals. The set collection is simple, but decisions feel tenser than a peasant holding a pitchfork. Perfect as a filler or to unwind with friends.

Highlights
  • Unique, memorable theme
  • Fun, strategic auctions
  • Fast and easy to learn
Keep in mind
  • Can feel too random
  • Theme isn’t for everyone
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

In the 19th century, mad scientists compete to be the first to create life through alchemy. In 'It's Alive!', you play as one of these eccentrics, collecting body parts from dubious suppliers to assemble your monster. Local peasants are... let's say, accident-prone, so whole cadavers are rare. Each turn, you choose to buy the available part, sell it for a pittance, or auction it to screw over rivals. Watch your luck: a coffin with a weakling's corpse can substitute any part, but dabbling in this macabre trade might anger the villagers. A quick and fun game, perfect for those who enjoy dark themes with a dash of black humor.

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–5 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
5 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Mechanics

Auction / Bidding Set Collection

Categories

Card Game Horror

Families

Creatures: Monsters Theme: Mad Science / Mad Scientist
Publisher Reiver Games
Designer Yehuda Berlinger
Artist R. H. Aidley

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

1,133owners
173wishlist
22want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
Player count?
2-5. Works at any number, but 4+ gets chaotic (in a good way).
Playtime?
15-30 mins. Quick enough for multiple plays in one night.
Hard to learn?
Nope! 1.6 weight on BGG. Even beginners grasp it in 10 minutes.
Language-dependent?
No. Cards use icons/numbers, and the macabre theme is universal.
Kid-friendly?
Depends. It’s black humor (corpses, etc.), but not graphic. Best for teens+.
What’s in the box?
Body part cards, paper money, and markers. Solid components for the price.

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