{"title":"Catch Up Games","description":"\u003cp\u003eCatch Up Games is a French publisher known for bringing accessible yet engaging strategy games to tables worldwide, with a particular strength in card-based designs that balance tactical depth with approachable rulesets. Their catalog showcases this philosophy through titles like \u003cstrong\u003eCourtisans\u003c\/strong\u003e, where players navigate Renaissance court intrigue through clever card play, and its expansion \u003cstrong\u003eCourtisans: Diplomats and Confidants\u003c\/strong\u003e, which deepens the political maneuvering. \u003cstrong\u003eCastle Combo\u003c\/strong\u003e demonstrates their knack for spatial puzzles wrapped in family-friendly themes, while \u003cstrong\u003eMind Up!\u003c\/strong\u003e delivers quick-thinking deduction challenges.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese games suit groups seeking streamlined experiences that reward smart play without overwhelming new players—ideal for families, casual gamers building their collections, or experienced players wanting lighter fare between heavier sessions. Most play smoothly at 2-4 players and deliver satisfying decisions in under an hour, making them excellent gateway choices or palate cleansers for game nights.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"mind-up","title":"Mind Up!","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMind Up!\u003c\/strong\u003e is a quick-fire hand management game where timing and decision-making collide. Designed by Maxime Rambourg and published in 2023, it challenges 3-6 players to make simultaneous choices under pressure, creating a tense race where everyone acts at once.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe mechanics centre on managing your hand of cards while coordinating your plays with opponents. Simultaneous action selection means no waiting for turns — everyone reveals their decisions together, forcing you to anticipate what others will do while advancing your own strategy. Games run 15-20 minutes, making it an ideal opener or closer for game nights.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith its accessible 8+ age rating and light complexity (1.17 weight), Mind Up! works well for families and casual groups who want something snappy without lengthy explanations. Christine Alcouffe's artwork supports the streamlined gameplay, keeping visual clarity front and centre.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe simultaneous play creates genuine moments of surprise and laughter as plans succeed or spectacularly misfire. If you need a game that delivers quick decisions and instant results, Mind Up! fits that brief without overstaying its welcome.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Catch Up Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58372063756672,"sku":"5065014806227","price":12.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/9505\/7536\/files\/MIND_Mindup.png?v=1783033427"},{"product_id":"courtisans","title":"Courtisans","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCourtisans\u003c\/strong\u003e places you in the cutthroat world of a royal court, where influence is everything and rivals will stop at nothing to claim favour. Designer Romaric Galonnier has crafted a quick-playing set collection game that balances strategic planning with direct interaction—expect to build your power base while undermining your opponents' carefully laid plans.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOver 20 to 30 minutes, 2 to 5 players compete to assemble the most valuable sets of courtiers, vying for end-game bonuses that reward clever combinations. The take-that mechanics ensure no one's position is safe: just when you think you've secured a winning tableau, a rival might disrupt your entire strategy. Noëmie Chevalier's artwork brings the opulent court to life, making every card feel like a miniature portrait of intrigue.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith a low complexity rating of 1.3 and an age recommendation of 8+, \u003cem\u003eCourtisans\u003c\/em\u003e welcomes newer players while offering enough tactical depth to keep experienced gamers engaged. The blend of accessible rules and meaningful decisions makes it ideal for family game nights or as a sharp filler between longer sessions. Published in 2024 by Catch Up Games, it has already earned a solid 7.3 rating on BoardGameGeek.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Catch Up Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58386352275840,"sku":"5065014806258","price":17.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/9505\/7536\/files\/Courtisans.png?v=1783177388"},{"product_id":"courtisans-diplomats-and-confidants","title":"Courtisans: Diplomats and Confidants","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003eCourtisans: Diplomats and Confidants\u003c\/strong\u003e, designed by Romaric Galonnier, players navigate the intricate politics of Renaissance courts through negotiation and hidden agendas. This expansion introduces new roles and powers that deepen the interplay of influence and deception established in the base game.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOver 30 to 45 minutes, three to five players adopt secret identities, forming temporary alliances and competing for control over key areas of the court. Each turn presents opportunities to broker deals, leverage information, and shift loyalties—mechanics that reward both psychological reading and tactical hand management. The medium-weight complexity (2.1) makes it approachable for players aged 10 and up while offering enough strategic depth to keep seasoned gamers engaged.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePublished by Catch Up Games in 2023, this expansion builds on variable player powers and area majority scoring. Mihajlo Dimitrievski's artwork reinforces the period atmosphere without overwhelming the functional clarity needed for quick negotiations. The result is a compact experience where every conversation matters and allegiances remain uncertain until the final reveal.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Catch Up Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58386482626944,"sku":null,"price":5.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/9505\/7536\/files\/COUREXP1-CS_Courtisans_DiplomatsandConfidants_Caseof12.png?v=1783177795"},{"product_id":"castle-combo","title":"Castle Combo","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCastle Combo\u003c\/strong\u003e is a fast-paced card-drafting game where you build a medieval castle one card at a time. Designed by Grégory Grard and published in 2024 by Catch Up Games, it plays in 10 to 25 minutes with 2 to 5 players aged 10 and up. Every card serves multiple purposes: you can place it in your castle tableau, tag it for end-game scoring bonuses, or use it to trigger combos with cards you've already played.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe core mechanic is open drafting. Each round, you select cards from a shared pool, layering them to create a castle structure while collecting sets of symbols and icons. Multi-use cards create meaningful choices on every turn—do you add height to your castle, or bank a card for a powerful end-game bonus? Tile placement and set collection intertwine as you aim to complete patterns and maximise scoring combinations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith a complexity weight of 1.74 and a BGG rating of 7.7, Castle Combo strikes a balance between accessible rules and tactical depth. Stéphane Escapa's vibrant artwork brings the medieval theme to life without overwhelming the gameplay. The result is a quick, strategic experience that rewards planning and adaptability in equal measure.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Catch Up Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58405409685888,"sku":"5065014806357","price":17.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/9505\/7536\/files\/pic8250341.png?v=1783466239"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/9505\/7536\/collections\/pic9263845-removebg-preview.png?v=1783636434","url":"https:\/\/mpgames.io\/collections\/publisher-catch-up-games.oembed","provider":"MPGames","version":"1.0","type":"link"}