When an intimate game falls flat, it is never for the reason you think. It is almost never the content that disappoints: it is an awkward moment nobody dares to interrupt, a card that comes up at the wrong time, or simply rules nobody around the table can read.
Here are the four criteria that determine whether a box ends up on the table or at the back of a cupboard.
1. The language of the content — the overlooked criterion
It is the first thing to check, and the one nobody looks at.
Many adult games are designed in the United States and distributed in Europe without a translation. You can work out a board game; a question-based card game is another matter. Put a hundred and sixty cards in English on a table where half the people cannot read it, and the evening ends on the third round.
Our product descriptions state the language of the content when it is not French, and the product title includes it in brackets. This is purchasing information, not a technical detail.
Two contrasting examples from our selection. The date night game for two provides its rules in ten languages, including French. By contrast, From Eggplant to Taco has rules in English — but its two hundred cards feature only emojis, so anyone can play. The question is therefore not “is it translated?”, but “does the game material depend on language?”.
2. The safeword: agree on it before starting
An intimate game makes suggestions. The problem is never the suggestion; it is the lack of a way out.
Before the first card, agree on a word anyone can say at any time. It stops play immediately, with no explanation and no forfeit. Ten seconds of conversation at the start, and everyone plays more freely afterwards — because everyone knows they can stop.
Three principles go with this, and they apply to every game in this category:
- everything is optional, including anything a card presents as a reward you have won;
- refusing carries no forfeit, otherwise refusal is not really an option;
- consent can still be withdrawn at every stage, including after saying yes.
And one habit makes a big difference: sort through the cards before playing. Go through the deck together, as a couple or a group, and remove anything that does not feel right. Five minutes beforehand is better than an awkward moment in the middle of a game.
3. As a couple or in a group: these are different games
| Format | What it involves | Avoid if |
|---|---|---|
| Couples game | Two players, progressing towards an ending | You want a party activity |
| Group game | Three or more players, driven by humour | People in the group have different levels of comfort with the subject |
| Drinking game | Fast pace, few rules | Someone does not drink, or is driving |
Bringing out a couples game with six people makes everyone uncomfortable. A group game with two people falls flat. It is the most common purchasing mistake in this category.
If you are new to the category, a multi-format set such as 4Play lets you try several game mechanics without making multiple purchases.
About drinking games
They work very well without alcohol, and most allow for this. If you choose the version with alcohol: do not pressure anyone to drink, provide an alternative, and remind everyone that nobody drives afterwards. Alcohol is also not recommended during pregnancy and is incompatible with some medications.
4. The wording: does the box include your relationship?
Most adult games are written with a heterosexual couple in mind. Cards say “for him” and “for her”, and describe actions that do not suit every body or every relationship.
A few publishers use neutral wording so any couple can play without mentally translating every card. This is rare, and it is a real factor when choosing. The Kheper Games intimacy game is one of them: its questions, actions and rewards are gender-neutral.
What the box really contains
Some games contain more than cardboard. You may find a ring, a mini stimulator or a blindfold. This has three implications:
- clean before first use, as with any accessory;
- a penis ring should not be worn for more than twenty minutes, never while sleeping, and should be removed immediately if there is numbness or a change in colour;
- a battery-powered accessory requires the battery to be removed before prolonged storage, and used batteries should be taken to a collection point.
Our product descriptions detail the exact contents of every box, precisely because the game's name does not always make them obvious.
SoPigalle tip: read the rules together before starting, while pouring a drink. That moment is part of the game — it is when you decide together what you feel like trying, and it defuses anything that might go wrong later.
FAQ: choosing an adult game
How can you tell whether a game is in French?
Check the product description and packaging. In our store, the title states when the content is not available in French.
What is a safeword?
A word agreed in advance that anyone can say to stop the game immediately, without having to explain and without a forfeit.
Do you have to carry out every suggestion?
No. Everything is optional, including anything presented as a reward. Refusal must not carry any penalty.
Can you play a couples game in a group?
It is not recommended: the mechanics assume two players, and the dynamic does not work with more people.
Do you need alcohol for a drinking game?
No. Most work with a non-alcoholic drink, and the rules often allow for this.
Are there gender-neutral games?
Yes, a few publishers use neutral wording. We state this in our product descriptions when it applies.