- BGG rank
- BGG #2,385
- BGG rating
- 6.5
The Chameleon
- 3–8 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,543
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Gooseberry
2016
Rules assistance for Gooseberry
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 4–6 players
- 5–10 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.0/5
For 4 players
Rules assistant for Gooseberry
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Gooseberry is a board game released in 2016 for 4–6 players, 5–10 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Rikki Tahta and its main mechanics are Voting.
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About the game
Description from the publisher: Gooseberry is a short, light, social-deduction game inspired by Fake Artist, Spyfall, and Codenames. For each game a topic is chosen which contains sixteen different subjects which everyone can see. One of those is designated the secret subject and one player becomes the "Gooseberry". The Gooseberry does not know which of the sixteen subjects is the secret and the other players do not know who is the Gooseberry. The goal of the Gooseberry is to remain hidden and figure out the secret subject while all the other players are trying to keep the secret hidden and find the Gooseberry. A code card is dealt to each player, with one player receiving the Gooseberry card that has no code. Players use the code to identify the correct subject word. Everyone prepares in their mind a ONE WORD clue related to the secret subject. The challenge is to choose a clue that shows other players that you know the secret subject but is not so obvious that it reveals the secret to the Gooseberry. When all players have prepared their clue and are ready, each player, in clockwise order and without hesitation, says out loud the clue they have prepared. Players may now discuss, question and accuse each other. When ready everyone votes on who they think is the Gooseberry. The Gooseberry wins if either they are not correctly identified or if they can guess the correct subject word. The rules are currently only available in English. But the cards are universal (no language) and due to the low complexity of the game it's easy to play in any language.
Questions and answers
Gooseberry supports 4–6 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 Gooseberry is 5–10 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 Gooseberry for ages 10 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.
Gooseberry has a complexity rating of 1.0 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.
Gooseberry belongs to these categories: Party Game, Deduction, and Bluffing. Its main mechanics are Voting. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Gooseberry are: Rikki Tahta. 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 Gooseberry 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.