Scrawl is a party game that blends drawing, guessing, and hilariously misinterpreted communication.
Think of it as a creative mashup of Pictionary and the telephone game (or “Chinese whispers”), where the hilarity comes from how drastically messages get warped. Each player starts with a quirky prompt that they must illustrate, then passes their drawing to the next person, who writes what they think it is. This process alternates between drawing and guessing until the original idea has traveled around the group, often transforming into something wildly different.
The focus is on lighthearted fun and creativity, making it a perfect pick for parties, casual gatherings, or family game nights. It thrives on players embracing their lack of artistic skill, with the best moments coming from ridiculous misunderstandings rather than polished drawings.
Pros:
- Easy to Learn and Play: The rules are straightforward—draw, guess, pass. This accessibility makes it easy to jump into, even with groups that aren’t experienced gamers.
- Hilarious and Unpredictable Outcomes: The joy of Scrawl lies in watching a simple idea morph into something absurdly funny as it goes through multiple players. It’s a guaranteed source of laughter, even in groups that aren’t artistically inclined.
- Creative Freedom: Unlike games with strict rules or constraints, Scrawl allows players to let loose and express themselves in unique ways. You can play seriously or lean into the chaos.
- Inclusive Player Count: The game works well across a range of player counts, typically from 4 to 8, making it versatile for different group sizes.
- Minimal Setup and Quick Play: Scrawl doesn’t require much time to set up, and rounds are quick, keeping the energy high throughout the session.
Cons:
- Limited Replayability with Smaller Groups: While Scrawl shines in larger groups, smaller groups might not get the same level of hilarity and chaos that comes from multiple interpretations.
- Subjective Scoring: Scrawl includes a scoring system for deciding the funniest or best chain of drawings, but it often feels unnecessary. The competitive aspect can feel tacked on, as the fun comes from the process itself.
- Some Prompts Can Fall Flat: The humor in Scrawl heavily depends on the prompts provided. While many are clever, others can feel uninspired, and groups may want to create custom prompts to keep things fresh.
- Dependent on Group Dynamics: Like most party games, the success of Scrawl depends on the players’ willingness to embrace the silliness. If a group isn’t in the right mood, the game can fall flat.
- Component Wear: Scrawl uses dry-erase boards, which can show signs of wear over time. The included markers may also dry out quickly, requiring replacements.
Comparison to Similar Games:
- Telestrations: Scrawl is often compared to Telestrations, as both games revolve around drawing and interpreting prompts. Scrawl leans more into humor with quirky prompts and a looser, edgier tone, whereas Telestrations feels more family-friendly and structured. If you prefer chaotic creativity, Scrawl is the better choice.
- Pictionary: While Pictionary is also drawing-based, it’s more focused on artistic skill and competitive guessing. Scrawl is more about the humor and absurdity of the process, making it more forgiving for non-artistic players.
- Dixit: Both games rely on creativity, but Dixit uses surreal artwork and encourages abstract thinking, while Scrawl is far more straightforward and relies on the hilarity of miscommunication.
- Cards Against Humanity: Like Cards Against Humanity, Scrawl thrives on humor and creativity, but it replaces the wordplay and voting mechanic with a drawing/guessing loop. Scrawl feels less mean-spirited, making it more approachable for a broader range of players.
Summary:
Scrawl is an excellent party game that combines drawing and guessing with an emphasis on humor and creativity. It’s not about being good at art; it’s about embracing the chaos and enjoying the absurd transformations of ideas as they pass through the group. While it’s not a deeply strategic or competitive game, its simplicity and humor make it a great choice for casual settings and gatherings.
For players who enjoy games like Telestrations or Pictionary, Scrawl offers a fresh, sillier take on the genre. It’s perfect for breaking the ice or filling an evening with laughter, though its replay value depends heavily on group dynamics and the quality of the provided prompts. If you’re looking for a lighthearted, laugh-out-loud experience, Scrawl is well worth adding to your party game collection.
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