Half Truth: Second Guess is the new 2nd Edition of the Half Truth party game that originally hit stores in 2020. Created by legendary game designer Richard Garfield (Magic: the Gathering) and trivia titan Ken Jennings (Jeopardy!), the game boasts a simple premise: identify the truth from a pool of cleverly disguised falsehoods. But is Half Truth a surefire hit for your next game night, or a half-baked idea? Let’s dive in.
Who’s this game for?
Half Truth: Second Guess is a party game for 2-12 players. The game only takes about 30 minutes, and is for players ages 12 and up. This is a standalone sequel. You do not need the first edition of Half Truth to enjoy Second Guess.
Components – What’s inside the box?
Half Truth: Second Guess is published by Nighthawk Games. The game box is compact at 6″ x 8″ x 2″. The box holds:
- 1 Question Card Mat
- 200 trivia question cards
- 72 Answer Cards (6 per player)
- 4 Score Dials
- 4 Dial Icon Reminder Tokens
The art style is clean and functional, focusing on clear presentation of the questions. While it won’t win any awards, it gets the job done. The real star of the show is the question design. Each card features a category and six possible answers, with three being demonstrably true and the other three cleverly crafted lies. Here’s where the “half” in Half Truth comes in – the line between truth and fiction can be razor-thin, making for some truly head-scratching moments.
Gameplay: Betting on Knowledge
Half Truth: Second Guess plays smoothly, with each round revolving around a single question card. Players secretly guess the answers they believe are true, using their Answer Cards. After the cards are placed, the truth is revealed by flipping over the question card, and players win or lose points based on their guesses.
What makes Half Truth special as a trivia game is you don’t need to find every correct answer; you can give 1 to 3 answers. The more you guess, the more points you earn — but giving ANY incorrect answer earns you zero points for the question.
The Positives:
- Engaging trivia with a clever half-truth twist
- Easy to learn and teach – perfect for casual gamers. The rulebook is concise and well-written.
- The game truly plays in 30 minutes, so it does not overstay its welcome
- Wide range of trivia questions, which should appeal to many game groups
- This 2nd edition Half Truth game can be mixed with the first edition game. This version has 200 new question cards.
- The box is small and travels well. This game is not a table hog.
The Negatives:
- Can be repetitive with extended play sessions
- The art is very basic
The Difference Between the First and Second Editions:
We never played the first edition of this Half Truth. The first edition had betting chips, and the second edition now uses Answer Cards and a Card Mat. The second edition also has Score Dials that work very well. We believe the first edition had a bluffing component; the second edition does not have bluffing.
For gamers that own both editions, the new rules tell you how to combine both versions of Half Truth.
The Pojo Verdict: Laughter and Second-Guessing
Half Truth: Second Edition shines as a party game. The trivia is engaging, with a good mix of difficulty to keep everyone guessing. We think it plays best with larger group sizes of 6-12 players.
Half Truth is a solid choice for casual gamers and trivia enthusiasts looking for a lighthearted and engaging party experience. The clever questions make it a fun game to break the ice or liven up a gathering. While it might not be your go-to game for hardcore strategists, Half Truth delivers on its promise of laughter, second-guessing, and a good dose of trivia fun.
