Lifeboats
- Players
- 3-6
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 6 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 90 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 1.8 / 5
- Year
- 1993
About the game
Lifeboats is a pure negotiation party game for three to six players, cast as survivors of a shipwreck trying to steer a flotilla of six lifeboats toward safety. Only one boat advances each round, so players must argue, cajole, and campaign to get their preferred boat voted forward while sailors constantly swap boats and leaks threaten to sink whichever vessel is overcrowded. When a leak strikes a full boat, the group votes on who gets tossed overboard to the sharks. It's a loud, social game built entirely around table talk and shifting alliances.
Hobbli's Notes
This is a classic example of pure negotiation gaming: there's essentially no hidden mechanical depth, just players arguing their case and trying to build coalitions before the next vote. That makes it a blast with the right rowdy, talkative group but a non-starter for anyone who prefers quiet, strategic play. Being an older title, it's a bit of a hidden gem for negotiation-game fans willing to track it down.
What we like
- Unique pure-negotiation gameplay rarely seen in modern games.
- Generates lots of laughter, alliances, and table talk.
- Scales well for larger groups up to six players.
- Quick to teach with very few rules to learn.
Keep in mind
- Player elimination can leave some players sidelined toward the end.
- Only works well with a group willing to negotiate loudly and openly.
- Random leak events can undercut careful strategy.
Who it's for
Best for larger, vocal groups of 6+ adults or teens who enjoy loud negotiation and social bargaining games.
