Red Carpet Board Game Review: When Hollywood Magic Meets Spatial Strategy
Review by Lincoln Hoppe: The Game Bard
Introduction
My family and I just played Red Carpet and we were blown away by where the theme meets the mechanics.
As a film and television actor who’s actually walked red carpets for premieres and award shows, finding myself on the other side of the camera in this game was pure magic.
(Review text here is a quick Summary of the video)
“The fact that you’re moving your camera and these standees on the red carpet is perfectly thematic, fun, and strategic as a spatial puzzle..“
Game Overview
Red Carpet by Devir is a 1950s Hollywood red carpet experience that delivers a brilliant spatial puzzle where you play as photographers looking for the best shots of the hottest Hollywood stars.
This table presence show-stopper features simple mechanics with innovative ways to score with each picture you take.
You play five cards each round, taking one of three actions: vote for a star to win an award (doubling your victory points for that star’s photo), turn people or move them spatially on the red carpet for better positioning, or move your camera position for that perfect shot.
Core Mechanism Deep Dive
The genius of Red Carpet lies in the photography and camera app integration.
You literally use your phone as a camera to take pictures of the standees on the board! You’re trying to get the best view of celebrities, scoring points for close-ups, being in the same column as your subject, including endorsement logos, and losing points for photo bombers.
The spatial puzzle element is perfectly thematic and satisfying. Moving your camera and these standees on the red carpet feels natural and strategic. Your rival photographers can get in your way and interfere with your shots, creating delicious tension.
Gameplay & Scoring
Each round flows in three phases: two movie stars and their entourage pour out of the limousine, players take turns playing cards to vote/move/reposition, then everyone uses their camera app to actually take pictures.
Here’s a perfect example of how the mechanics create drama: My son and I were on opposite sides of the red carpet, both going for that cover shot of Audrey Hepburn. She was facing me, but was he planning to turn her around at the last moment? I played carefully, holding my 180-degree turn card. Sure enough, he spun her around! But I had wisely kept my own turn card and spun her back for my perfect shot. Except for that photo bomber!
I was victorious in that moment but still lost the game. Alas! 😄
Components & Emotional ImpactÂ
The art throughout the game is perfectly matched to the theme, and the standees really add to the atmosphere. We played movie score music from the 50s in the background and had a blast!
The table presence is fantastic – not just because of the art, board, and standees, but because it threw me into another time and place.
The standees look like real actors from the 50s: Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Alfred Hitchcock, and Audrey Hepburn. As we played for the first time, we kept saying “This is crazy! How cool is this? How did they come up with this?” And that wasn’t me – that was my family saying that!
For mental health benefits, this game delivers pure joy and nostalgia. There’s something magical about the way the spatial puzzle works that creates genuine excitement and satisfaction.
The technology integration isn’t gimmicky – it’s immersive and makes you feel like you’re actually there snapping pictures in the golden age of Hollywood.
Final Verdict
If you hate using technology in board games and aren’t curious about experimentation, this may not be for you.
But if you’re willing to blend board gaming with technology and the art of photography, Red Carpet delivers that experience in spades! 🎬
Playing Red Carpet reminded me why I fell in love with both acting and gaming in the first place.
They’re about finding beauty in the details, trying to meet the present moment with exactly what’s needed, and creating something truly memorable with the people around you.
And if you’re lucky and time it just right, you might capture something that stays with you long after the moment ends. ✨
by Lincoln Hoppe
Original Music by Lincoln Hoppe: The Game Bard
AÂ Review Copy was provided by Devir Games
Publisher: Devir Games
Designed by: Anna Lucini Canals, Pau Moré Gómez, Eloi Pujadas
Board Game Geek Page:Â Red Carpet
My Board Game Geek Page: Lincoln Hoppe
Lincoln Hoppe
Lincoln a professional film & Television actor based in Los Angeles, California.
He has a family with 5 kids, and one of his joys in life is playing games together as a family.
He's on a mission to spread the love and mental health benefits of play and board gaming to the world.
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