Cyrano -- The Poem Writing Game

[Gerald]

Cyrano is a poem writing game for four to nine players, designed by L. Maublanc and A. Maublanc published by Repos Production.  It is based on the play, Cyrano de Bergerac and, despite its poem writing theme, is essentially a party game (albeit one that demands your creative juices to gush).  The game is currently available thru most online retailers, so its fairly easy to acquire a copy.

COMPONENTS:
The game comes with several rule books in different languages, pencils, character cards, one card holder, a stand, voting cards, rhyme/theme cards and ALOT of writing paper (where you also do your scoring).  There have been complaints about the durability of the card holder, but honestly its not something a couple of pieces of tape can't fix.  Overall, I am satisfied with the components.  The artwork is nice and very colorful, and is something that can appeal to people of all ages (at least it does for me).

For the price, I think its a fair deal... not an awesome deal, but I don't feel like you're getting ripped off.

GAMEPLAY:
The "game", as per written in the rules is really very simple.  You draw three cards, one determines the theme and two determine the rhymes you will be using when you write your poem.  The poem should be four lines and your rhymes can go ABAB, ABBA, AABB and so on.  After you write your poems, everyone gets a turn to recite theirs (our house rules is, the player who finishes writing last, gets to recite his poem first, then in clockwise order thereafter).  For every unique word you use in your rhymes, you get one point (for a maximum total of four points per round) on the "upward" score track.  If someone else uses the same word, you don't score it.

Afterwards, people vote on the poem they feel is the best.  For every vote that matches your vote, you get one point on the "downward" score track.  Voting is done secretly (using voting cards that're revealed simultaneously), and the scoring mechanic ensures that people won't simply vote for themselves, but will really vote for the poem they think is best.

You win when the "downward" and "upward" score track meet.  In the case of a tie, you go to a rhyming duel.

And that's the game.  As I said, the rules are really quite simple.  The fun comes from the poems people write that can range from sappy, cheesy to downright hilarious to serious and morose.

COMPARING IT TO OTHER SIMILAR GAMES:
Honestly, the game is a little unique, but in some ways, it can feel a bit similar to story telling games such as Fabula and Once Upon a Time.  But it scratches a slightly different itch.  Also, it has more of a party game feel as compared to the aforementioned games.  I haven't played alot of writing games, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
If you like writing poems, go get this game.  'Nuff said.  If you like story telling games, Cyrano is worth a try at the very least.  If you don't like being creative or don't like writing poems... avoid this game like the plague.

Cyrano is a game that's very group dependent... it can either be a great experience, or it can fall flat and your friends will hate you for forcing it upon them.  I just hope this short review can help you determine if this game fits you and your group.

In conclusion, I don't think you can go wrong by at least trying this game.  You never know... there could be a poet inside you waiting to be unleashed!

[Adrian (the other one)]

I have to say, this is an awesome game!

We played this earlier, and we really had lots of laughs stretching our geeky imaginations to score ahead of each other.

The following poems were created from our game earlier.  But for the sake of safety from personal injury, the authors will remain anonymous:


o*o  When I met her (theme: memories)  *o*
It is the truth so true, and not hearsay
when I tell of how she did sashay
into my life like a rambling boar
who broke down my castle's door


o*o  What it used to be (theme: memories)  *o*
I remember way back in the day
when we used to have a romp in the hay
for even though it made my back sore
I was happiest as we lay on the floor


o*o  Taliban (theme: mountains)  *o*
High above the homes of the Shiite
they were torturing a Levite
with his open jaws
which they were inserting a hose


Hahaha.  More poems to come in later posts!

[maskmanjoe]

Was viscoos among the players? I somehow sense his work in these (or at least, his influence). Politically incorrect LOL at the 3rd poem

[Adrian (the other one)]

The gamers were: gerald, myself, viscoos, and talismanic. 

More poems:

o*o Jubblies (theme: mountains) o*o
Mammaries, boobies, golden globes so bright
oh globular lovelies you make my pants so tight
your heavenly sighing motions leave me at a loss
where you wander I must watch; you are my eyes' only boss


o*o Sylvester to Tweety (theme: birds) o*o
Oh golden delight, my tummy feels so bare
my appetite for you does mournfully croon
might I entice you to dine in my lair
whereupon you can pirouette on my spoon


o*o Memories of Boardgaming (theme: memories) o*o
This is a poem about my BattleLore
when I bought it, I felt so gay
then I finally got to play
which left me regretful and sore

[Gerald]

More poems!  More poems!  Hahahaha...

[Talismanic (Mark)]

Was viscoos among the players? I somehow sense his work in these (or at least, his influence). Politically incorrect LOL at the 3rd poem

Jaws and Hose (pronounced Haws), the ultimate in poetic license!