The Jackbox Party Pack

*After playing endless Jackbox games with my roomies throughout the pandemic, some games over discord, and introducing my family to the series as something to do over the holidays, I feel it's time I review each party pack. I plan on reviewing each party pack, so make sure to check my thoughts on the other games if you're looking for what party pack to try next. I don't rate these games the same as I would a video game because they play closer to board games*

Jackbox's first party pack begins on a rough note, especially given the context of this review being written in 2023. This pack's best games (Fibbage, Drawful, and You Don't Know Jack) are great to decent games. The problem is, each of these games have been improved upon/are included in another pack at this point. Every variation of fibbage excluding the 4th one is better, drawful has 2 superior versions, and you don't know Jack is replaceable trivia which again has a better version in the 5th party pack.

The other 2 games are some of Jackbox's most forgettable and uninteresting games, especially word spud which is easily a bottom 3 Jackbox game. There's honestly not much to write about this party pack and little purpose to pull apart this game because there's not much to say. Sure fibbage, and drawful hold up well (and I'm happy to go more in depth about them in future reviews), but the overall lack of polish this pack contains is really obvious if you've played any of the other packs.

I'd only recommend this to anyone who is absolutely hooked on Jackbox, this is the worst party pack by a longshot and it's best games as inferior versions of games which would be rereleased (a trend I'm not happy about, but it's hard to ignore innovations).

You Don't Know Jack - 3.5

Good fun, but it misses a crucial aspect of the best games in the pack: audience interaction. The jokes stem from the script rather than the players, and while they're usually funny (the Paul Rudd episode is incredible), the amount of content is very finite and the 4-player limit is punishing. Fun for small gatherings, though.

Drawful - 4.5

Wonderfully realized game with a great host and lots of opportunities for silliness. Drawful 2 is more refined in its mechanics, but you can have a lot of fun with this one. Good for humbling people who can draw really well in real life.

Word Spud - 1.5

I don't get this game and I never will. Just saying its name makes me mad. How is this fun? Who has ever enjoyed this? Why does it exist?

Lie Swatter - 2.5

Inconsequential and lightweight, but sometimes the facts are interesting. This one is probably best suited for people streaming the game, or get-togethers with lots of people and a projection screen. I don't know why you'd play this over Fibbage in any other context, though.

Fibbage XL - 5.0

The greatest party game of all time. Loads of content, hilarious narration, and better player integration than anything I've ever played. What's fascinating about this one is how it's possible to do well no matter what your age, education level, or area of expertise. Absolutely perfect.