The Mind – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Mind

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Board Game

91%

WISE Score

6.7

Board Game Geek

A silent card game where you stare into each other's souls and somehow play cards in order—it's weird, it works, and kids beg to play it daily.

The Mind

Board Game

91%

WISE Score

6.7

Board Game Geek

A silent card game where you stare into each other's souls and somehow play cards in order—it's weird, it works, and kids beg to play it daily.

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6.7

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Where to Play

Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

The Mind is that rare game that sounds absurd on paper—you play cards in order without talking, that's it—but becomes quietly magical in practice. It's won a mountain of awards for good reason: the silent cooperation creates genuine connection and teaches kids to read social cues in a way that feels natural, not preachy.

The 20-minute playtime is perfect for modern attention spans, and the fact that one parent's daughter asks to play it every single day speaks volumes. It's not flashy, it's not loud, but it creates these moments of shared tension and triumph that stick with families.

That said, it's divisive. Some people think it's brilliant; others think it's barely a game. If your family likes contemplative, cooperative experiences, this is a must-have. If you need competition, strategy, or constant action, you might find it boring. But for $15 and a tiny box, it's worth trying to see if your family clicks with it.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-adult. The 8+ rating is spot-on—younger kids might struggle with the patience and abstract timing required. But this genuinely works for teens and adults too, making it a rare all-ages game that everyone actually wants to play.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Pure cooperative gameplay that requires patience, empathy, and reading social cues. No conflict between players—everyone wins or loses together. The silent communication mechanic naturally teaches kids to observe others carefully and work as a team. Multiple reviews highlight how it brings families together daily, with one parent noting their daughter asks to play it every single day.

Imaginative

Wildly original concept—a cooperative card game where you can't talk, gesture, or communicate in any traditional way. You just stare at each other and intuitively 'feel' when to play cards in ascending order. Designer Wolfgang Warsch created something genuinely novel that's been called 'an experiment' and 'utterly unique.' Won multiple innovation awards including Golden Geek Most Innovative nominee. The mechanic of silent, intuitive cooperation is unlike anything else in gaming.

Safe

Completely safe—it's numbered cards 1-100 with no mature themes, artwork concerns, or problematic content. The cooperative nature means no toxic player dynamics or feelings of betrayal. No monetization, no privacy issues, no gambling mechanics. The only 'danger' is the delightful tension of whether you'll play cards in the right order, which is the entire point of the game.

Enriching

Teaches genuine life skills: reading non-verbal cues, patience, risk assessment, and teamwork under constraints. The 1.08 BGG weight means it's accessible but still mentally engaging. Players develop a shared intuition and learn to calibrate their timing with others—skills that translate beyond the game. With 20-minute playtime, it's perfectly paced for attention spans and repeated plays build genuine mastery. However, it's not deeply educational in traditional ways—it's more about social-emotional learning and having fun together.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely unique—no other game does this silent, intuitive cooperation thing, and it actually works
Perfect family bonding: zero player conflict, everyone's on the same team, and you develop this weird telepathic connection
Quick 20-minute sessions mean 'just one more game' actually happens without eating your whole evening
Teaches real social-emotional skills: reading body language, patience, timing, and trusting your gut
Massive award winner (Golden Geek Best Cooperative Game, As d'Or winner, Spiel des Jahres nominee) with 66,000+ owners

⚠

What to Watch For

Some people genuinely question if this is even a 'game'—it's more like a group meditation experiment, which won't appeal to everyone
Kids who need constant action or talking might get frustrated by the silent, contemplative pace
The 'magic' relies on everyone buying in—one distracted or silly player can derail the whole experience
It's essentially the same activity every time, so replayability depends on whether your family finds the challenge meditative or repetitive

Conversation Starters

"How did you know when it was the right time to play your card? What were you feeling?"
"Did you notice anything about how [sibling/parent] plays differently than you?"
"When we mess up, how does it feel different from losing in other games where we're competing?"
"Do you think we're getting better at reading each other's minds, or is it just luck?"

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