Our Pick For Top Two Social Card Games, But One Is Far Superior Than The Other…
Why we think “Hey, It’s Me!” a new social card game is the superior choice over Healthier Together: The Deck, a game that’s been around for a little while.
After receiving an unexpected card game PR gift in our media office, we were inadvertently compelled and intrigued to scour the internet for more like it, primarily to see what else is out there. We knew the market was viable judging from the social card games nights and virtual game clubs that were a huge deal during the pandemic. There were no shortage of small social gatherings, virtual gaming events and solo (self-care) gaming activities as an alternative to loud bars and over-priced eateries during lockdown. Within seconds of a Google search , we were overwhelmed with choices of what each creator and e-commerce site touted as the best game for this and that. My work partner Thomas and I had no idea that the board games market was so saturated. Despite it being filled with mostly fantasy type games, dominated by the big players like Hasbro and Asmodee, we were still overwhelmed by the vast choices in the marketplaces.
We also discovered something far wilder than we ever imagined and that is there’s an entire creator universe online through Kickstarter — yes that crowdfunding platform, that is dedicated to finding and funding board games. According to Technavio, a game which we’ve never heard of called Exploding Kittens — which launched via Kickstarter in January 2015 by raising $8.8 million in 30 days, has sold a large number of games, around 2.5 billion by 2017. (Imagine those numbers now!) Owing to this, the investment is higher for board games as compared to advanced video games. This is because funding given through a crowdfunding platform is predominantly done by the general population or angel investors and not venture capitalists.
While fantasy games are incredibly popular, we were searching for something different — something with a more grounded, meaningful experience. We wanted to find the best game that is both fun and good for the player’s well being. After sifting through the extensive selection of role-playing games and the standard card deck conversation options, we came across the usual suspects like “Cards Against Humanity”, ‘Tell Me Without Telling Me,’ countless drinking games, and, of course, the mega-popular Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. But we wanted more, so we started narrowing our search for more impressive and wholesome options focused on mental health and intellectual stimulation. We found Healthier Together: The Deck, from Healthy Convo Co, a company founded by writer and podcaster Liz Moody and then it dawned on Thomas and I that we may have very well stumbled upon the best introspective adult conversation game yet and it was Hey, It’s Me! from a company called Elliott Card Games- a brand new socially conscious card games company. We had earlier popped the game kit open and pulled out a few questions that were so impressive, it inspired our search for this article.
After purchasing Healthier Together online, we played both it, and Hey It’s Me! and subsequently handed them to a couple testers (fellow employees). Here’s what we found. When it comes to choosing the perfect conversation and table topics game, the options can be overwhelming. While both games aim to facilitate meaningful conversations, there are several key reasons why “Hey, It’s Me!” stands out as the better choice.
A More Impressive and Gift-Worthy Package
One of the first things that sets “Hey, It’s Me!” apart is its presentation. Our game box is not only significantly larger (a whopping 11.5" x 6.5" and weights 3.3lb), but also much more attractive and giftable. This makes it an ideal present for any occasion, whether you’re looking to surprise a loved one or treat yourself to something special. In contrast, Healthier Together: The Deck may have more questions, but the packaging lacks the same wow factor, making “Hey, It’s Me!” appear as a better value for money right from the start. Consumers love a pretty package!
Deeper, More Introspective Questions
While Healthier Together: The Deck features 150 questions across six categories, the content of “Hey, It’s Me!” is where the real difference lies. This game offers a collection of questions that are far more introspective and scenario-based, encouraging players to truly reflect on their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. “Hey, It’s Me!” is designed not just to stimulate conversation but to help players uncover deeper insights about themselves and each other. This makes it especially valuable in a therapeutic or self-care context, where the goal is to move beyond surface-level banter and engage in truly meaningful dialogue. One thing we definitely loved about Hey, It’s Me! is that the categories are split into four well-being topics; self-love, self-care, self-discovery and reflection. This gives the player a more personable intentional game experience.
Superior Value for True Connection
Healthier Together: The Deck is marketed as a versatile game that can be used in various settings, from dinner parties to road trips. However, “Hey, It’s Me!” takes this concept further by focusing on creating genuine connections that go beyond mere entertainment. The questions in “Hey, It’s Me!” are crafted with the help of psychologists, ensuring that each one is not only engaging but also rooted in psychological principles that promote self-awareness and emotional growth. This makes the game a more valuable tool for those looking to foster deep and lasting connections with others.
Interactive and Scenario-Based Gameplay
While Healthier Together: The Deck boasts interactive questions, “Hey, It’s Me!” excels in creating scenario-based gameplay that challenges players to think critically about their lives and the world around them. These scenarios are designed to be relatable and thought-provoking, pushing players to consider how they would respond in various real-life situations. This level of engagement goes beyond simply answering questions — it requires players to put themselves in different shoes, making the game not only more enjoyable but also more impactful. I almost dumbed my boyfriend for responding to his self-discovery question in the self assured and frank way he did. His honest response gave me pause. Like, do I really wanna’ marry this dude?
More Than Just a Conversation Starter
At its core, “Hey, It’s Me!” is more than just a conversation starter — it’s a tool for self-discovery and personal growth. While Healthier Together: The Deck focuses on stimulating conversation, “Hey, It’s Me!” goes further by helping players uncover hidden feelings, explore their moral compass, and engage in introspection. The game’s design ensures that each session is not just fun but also a valuable opportunity for personal and emotional development.
Conclusion: The Clear Winner
While Healthier Together: The Deck offers a good experience for sparking conversation, “Hey, It’s Me!” outshines it in several critical areas. From its impressive packaging and better value for money to its deeper, more introspective questions and scenario-based gameplay, “Hey, It’s Me!” is the superior choice for anyone looking to foster genuine connections, whether in a social setting, with family, or in a therapeutic context.
If you’re looking for a game that goes beyond entertainment and truly enriches your life and relationships, “Hey, It’s Me!” is the clear winner. Oh, it really does come with that cutest REAL magnifying glass on the box. Per a pre-launch press release, not all game kits are equipped with this added feature. What a sweet surprise that was! But there’s more. This might very well be the first card game in history with its very own music playlist. Yes, you read that correctly. Hey, It’s Me! comes with over 3hrs of curated music from all major genres including pop, reggae, dance, techno and swing. We were sent a preview link with over 30 of its tracks and they were pretty darn good. The game boasts numerous title tracks including their official game track; “Hey, Let’s Play”, in the pop category that was groovy, upbeat and catchy. The press release indicated that the tracks will be available on the manufacturer’s website for free download at the time of launch. The game will launch exclusively at Walmart starting December 31st, 2024 for a limited period.
(This is an independent review. No compensation was offered for this article. Game was sent unsolicited by Lyndon Taylor and Associates. Companies were not contacted for feedback)
