Anticipation (USA)

The gameplay of Anticipation combines elements of a quiz game and a board game. Up to four players can participate, or one player can compete against the computer. The main objective is to guess the hidden image behind the squares by answering trivia questions.

Each round begins with a board of 25 squares, concealing a picture. Players take turns selecting a square. When a square is chosen, a trivia question appears. Questions cover various categories such as history, science, sports, geography, and pop culture.

If a player answers the question correctly, they earn points, and that square is removed, revealing a part of the picture. If answered incorrectly, the turn passes to the next player.

Players can choose to "guess" at any time instead of answering a question. When guessing, the player must input their answer for the hidden picture. If correct, the player receives a large bonus and the round ends. If incorrect, they lose their turn or incur a point penalty, depending on game settings.

The game continues through multiple rounds. In each round, a new picture and new questions appear. Scores accumulate across rounds. The player with the highest score when the game concludes is the winner.

Anticipation also incorporates minor strategic elements. For instance, players might try to open squares in crucial positions to reveal key clues about the picture, or attempt to guess early to gain an advantage. These elements make the game more than just a puzzle, requiring judgment and and a bit of luck.