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Philosophy box art
2023 Ranked #12,689

Philosophy

Abstract conversation game has two players place ideas, push or pull rival tiles, and form a three-in-a-row conclusion. Chain reactions can transform the board unexpectedly, turning calm dialogue into a shifting spatial puzzle.

Abstract Abstract Strategy Square Grid Tile Placement Players: Two-Player Only Games

Players

2

Play time

5-30 min

Age

10+

Complexity

2.25/5

Rating

7.61

Harder to teach Highly interactive Deep strategy

Overview

At a glance

Is this game right for my group?

ABG editorial scores on a 1–5 scale.

Teachability 2.4/5

Harder to teach

Replay value 4.0/5

High replayability

Interaction 3.7/5

Highly interactive

Player scaling 4.4/5

Scales well

Strategic depth 4.5/5

Deep strategy

See all 5 specifications

How it plays

How does it play?

Philosophy is a relaxing, abstract two-player game. In it, you and your fellow player are two friends having a conversation.

Core mechanisms

Key systems that shape the decisions players make.

Read the full game description

Philosophy is a relaxing, abstract two-player game. In it, you and your fellow player are two friends having a conversation. The board represents your conversation space, and your pieces represent your ideas. The goal of the game is simple: connect 3 of your ideas in a row anywhere on the board. This is called a Conclusion. You’ll take turns placing your ideas onto the board, with the restriction that new tiles may only be placed in the center nine squares. Each tile has a space that it will target with a unique effect. If placed correctly, a player's tiles can push or pull the opposing player's tiles. Moved tiles may also push neighboring tiles or even enter into the target space of the current player's previously placed tiles, triggering chain reactions. Tiles that are eventually pushed off of the board are returned to the player that owns them. The game ends when a single player has reached a Conclusion: three of their tiles connected in a line, horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Philosophy often feels more like a puzzle than a competitive game, as the board state grows in complexity and changes between turns. The calm theme, simple mechanics, difficult decisions, and premium production come together in a high quality experience for avid gamers and casual players alike.

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Editions

Language and publisher variants currently recorded in the catalog.

Edition Year Language Publisher / Region
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Player resources

Rulebooks, player aids, FAQs, and solo resources.

No files imported yet.

Game and edition data

All specifications (5)

Play and group

Players
2
Best with
2
Play time
5–30 min
Age
10+
Complexity
2.3/5
Credits and catalog connections

Credits

Designers

1
Galen Goodwick

Artists

1
Natalie Dombois

Publishers

1
Quality Beast

Linked items

No published linked games yet.