We’re Not Really Strangers: Thoughts, Reviews, and Experiences

Trinity’s Thoughts 

I have played We’re Not Really Strangers multiple times, and I would recommend that every single person plays it. We’re Not Really Strangers (WNRS) is a “purpose driven card game and movement all about empowering meaningful connections.” 

I have to admit that playing WNRS can be uncomfortable at first, but only because being emotionally vulnerable isn’t very normal in today’s society. People don’t really like talking about feelings too much. Think about when people ask, “How are you?” If you’re anything less than okay, you better not mention that, or it’ll just get awkward. 

However, I think we need to normalize being vulnerable instead of shunning people for being ‘sensitive.’ I think we need to normalize being honest about our emotions. 

WNRS is a game that allows people to do just that.

This is a type of game you could play with a complete stranger or with your closest friend. I especially think you should play with your closest friends because you’ll definitely learn something new. No matter how close you think you are to your friends, this game will allow you guys to connect on a deeper level. 

I know I’m doing a lot more telling than showing, but I can’t really give the game enough credit just by describing it. You need to play it yourself.

Mary’s Review

I had never heard about the We’re Not Really Strangers game before Trinity had suggested that Izzy, her, and I should play it together and write a review about our experience. When Trinity told me that it was a game about strengthening your existing relationships and creating new ones, I was intrigued to play but was hesitant about how effective it would really be. I mean, I consider Izzy and Trinity to be two of my closest friends. And while I know I don’t know everything about them, I was confident that I knew more than the game’s questions could uncover.

I was extremely, most definitely wrong.

As we sat to play the first level of questions (Perception), the questions started out easy and innocent enough as we all took turns pulling cards and seeing whether we’re more of a cat or dog person or what the song on our Myspace profile would be.

Then, the heat started to pick up.

The questions dug deeper, forcing Izzy, Trinity, and me to really sit and think about our answers. One of the questions asked: What’s your mother’s name? And the most beautiful thing about her? And we proceeded to have this beautiful moment when we were sharing stories about our moms’ strength and bravery, and I really did feel like I got to see Izzy and Trinity in a whole new light through the stories of their moms. Then, as we moved into Level 2 (Connections), there was a question that struck us deep: What part of your life works? What part of your life hurts? For a few minutes, none of us said anything as we contemplated the parts of our lives that were going well and the parts of our lives that…well… weren’t. And when we finally gathered the courage to start sharing our answers, I was able to get a small glimpse into their minds and what’s really going on in their lives, and they got to see a small glimpse into the parts of myself that I don’t always love to show other people. That I sometimes don’t even want to admit to myself. While we weren’t able to finish the whole game, the few things that I’ve learned in that hour we played have strengthened the bond between Izzy, Trinity, and me. 

Isabelle’s Experience

Although we weren’t able to spend a huge amount of time playing it, when we started to hit the good questions, we were able to have fun! Well, fun and deep, heart-aching conversations. 

Level 1 was mostly light questions, which allowed each of us to compliment the other person and even speak in accents for part of the time. It was nice seeing how other people thought of us—however, the best questions didn’t arise until Level 2. 

Level 2… Oh man. You’d have to be there. I mean, you won’t physically be there, since it was the past and you’re a reader, but… I can try and explain. This is where the thought-provoking, story-prompting, deep questions came out. You’d suddenly find yourself going from the “Do I seem like a cat or dog person?” questions to the “What part of your life works? What part of your life hurts?” questions. 

These questions prompted genuine answers I might’ve never known about—and these are my very, very close friends—because WNRS allows for people to reveal their problems, their lives, and their dreams. It also prompts beautiful, raw, revealing, and deep conversation in the midst of a world that often wants you to do the opposite. 

All in all, it’s an impactful ‘game’ that lives up to its snarky exterior and passionate interior. If you do decide to play this with a friend, family member, or an actual stranger, you’ll see what I mean. We’re not really strangers, after all.