Chimera (2014)

About this game

Chimera is a three-player card game of two against one similar to climbing- and shedding-based card games like Tichu, The Great Dalmuti, Big Two, and Dou Dizhu (Fight the Landlord). Each hand, one player is designated Chimera and the other two players team up as Chimera Hunters to defeat the Chimera. Players compete for points in several hands of play by playing sequential pairs, trips, straights and other card combinations, and whoever has scored the most points once the designated point score has been reached wins. Chimera is normally played to 400 points, although longer or shorter games can be played.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 3 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 2.2/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 13 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.