At the dull party (Setting), the host is unpopular (Problem). Andrew Looney (Character) arrives with Nanofictionary (brilliant Resolution). Most cards show one of the four Elements around which you will compose a zany story. Everyone starts with five.

Each turn, you may lay Elements, or discard earlier Elements for others, before replenishing. You may also simply discard and replenish. Action Cards steal others' Elements, or allow selection of discarded cards. Lay down one of each Element, except for possible multiple Characters, to finish your composition. Those who finish earliest earn points. The last writer has two final turns to acquire all Elements. Next, players in turn read a story featuring all their Elements. Competitors, and preferably all nonplaying listeners you can find, vote for each story. The player with the most points wins. Ice cream vendors on Mars? Oh, Henry!

Nanofictionary is less a game than it is a social interaction. It's a way to get together and be creative with friends.

There is a unique turn structure where everyone goes at the same time, which creates the game's biggest flaw. You really need to appoint someone to make sure everyone is on the same turn. Not only does it keep everyone honest, but it helps the slower players from falling behind.

There's a real versatility to this game. I've had people get the same cards and yet tell completely different stories.

The art is suggestive and fun, but not overpowering. It doesn't force descriptions.

The scoring is done in an interesting and efficient manner (though care must be taken to avoid mistakes that may cause a re-do of the awards phase.)

All in all, this is serious fun. I never hesitate to drop Nanofictionary in my bag whenever games might break out.

This game plays quickly. There isn't an awful lot of 'game play' involved... The game revolves around a cards that contain themes for stories -- once you have collected enough story elements (characters, places, problems and resolutions) you can 'tell a story' around those. To the extent that the game is strategic, it's only in attempting to get from others cards that fit in better with the sort of story you want to tell.

The game is great for a laugh. If you've ever had the pleasure of playing Atlas Games' 'Once Upon a Time' you'll see some differences that make this game a little less frenetic... For one, someone else's story can't be interrupted -- which makes (I think) for better less all-over-the-maps stories.

I strongly reccomend this game.

I had high hopes for Nanofictionary since another story-telling game, Once Upon a Time, is a perpetual favorite. Sadly, Nanofictionary just totally failed to captivate us...there was simply no charm, and the stories just weren't as exciting. There is no real strategy, so the game lives or dies on how fun it is to tell and hear the stories, and frankly it dies.

My group has played it once and has pretty much set it aside for the forseeable future. I would strongly recommend Once Upon A Time instead of this game.