
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,082
- BGG rating
- 6.3
Easter Island
- 2 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2006

2001
Rules assistance for Contrario
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Contrario is a board game released in 2001 for 2–12 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 13 and up. It was designed by Roberto Fraga, Odet L'Homer, and Matthieu d'Epenoux.
1320 terms from diverse domains such as music, cinema, literature, geography, history, and many others have been twisted by using synonyms, antonyms and logically related words to form a new expression called a Contrario. Players will need to use their lateral thinking ability and general knowledge to outsmart their friends. Virtually all the original expressions are familiar. It's obvious . . . . . once you've got it. Each Contrario comes with two clues to nudge players in the right direction. Now, can your mind handle the twist?
Contrario supports 2–12 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Contrario is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Contrario for ages 13 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Contrario has a complexity rating of 1.1 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Contrario belongs to these categories: Word Game, Party Game, and Trivia. Categories describe the theme, setting and style of a game rather than its rules. Filter the catalogue by the same category to find similar games when you enjoyed Contrario and want something comparable for your next game night.
The credited designers of Contrario are: Roberto Fraga, Odet L'Homer, and Matthieu d'Epenoux. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Contrario as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.