Jackbox Games have earned their reputation as some of the best party games around. Known for sparking endless laughs and memorable times, their charm lies in their accessibility. Anyone with a phone can jump in, usually with little instruction outside of the tutorial needed. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a first timer, everyone can join in on the fun!
The latest addition to the Jackbox universe is The Jackbox Survey Scramble, a new take on their signature party games. This game draws inspiration from Family Feud but adds a unique Jackbox twist. Players rely on survey data collected worldwide, aiming to guess the most popular answers. Sometimes, you’ll guess the least popular ones or even answers ranked at specific spots.
There are a variety of categories from which the Survey Scramble can choose. With topics like “favorite sandwich toppings” to “what’s a scary animal,” the options are nearly endless! You can only use one-word answers, so clever combinations or omitting spaces can sometimes make unexpected entries work. You’ll encounter everything from the blatantly obvious to the wildly bizarre, keeping the experience unpredictable and entertaining.
In its current release, The Jackbox Survey Scramble offers four distinct game modes:
HiLo
HiLo is the simplest mode to grasp and arguably the collection’s crown jewel. Your group must guess the top or bottom answers in each round. If multiple players choose the same answer, their points are split. However, with a list of 100 answers, creative guesses can help avoid overlap. HiLo is perfect for players looking for a straightforward Survey Scramble experience.
Speed
This mode ramps the intensity as players race against the clock to fill out the list within a strict time limit across multiple rounds. Points increase with each round, raising the stakes. While more hectic than HiLo, it is the third most enjoyable mode in the pack.
Squares
Squares offer a competitive spin on tic-tac-toe. Players are split into two teams and compete to control squares on a 9×9 grid. Each square represents a segment of ranked answers (e.g., 1–10, 11–20). If your team guesses an answer that falls within a square, you gain control of it, but locking the square requires guessing the highest-ranked answer in that range. This mode stands out for its strategic depth of adding in the tic-tac-toe element. Each player on the team takes turns deciding who gets to input an answer; everyone else on the team can write suggestions, though. With the team dynamics and the off-the-wall lists, this game is as fun as HiLo.
Bounce
The final mode, Bounce, was the least engaging of the four. It draws inspiration from Arkanoid, with players using ranked answers to move a paddle into position to hit a ball. So, in this game, answers like one through ten would move the paddle all the way to the left, whereas answers in the 50s would move the paddle to the center. If you guess an answer to move the paddle where you want it and it hits the ball, then it’s the next team’s turn as the ball moves slightly faster. The first team to five points wins. While not inherently bad, the pacing and mechanics didn’t resonate with my players as strongly. Most of my group found it stressful, and no one requested a replay.
While the pack feels a bit light with just four game modes, Jackbox has plans to release additional modes soon, which will hopefully match the quality of HiLo and Squares. I played through the Tour mode in my playthrough, which cycles through all four modes in succession, which is honestly the best way to play, even if you get stuck playing Bounce. The overall experience was highly enjoyable, regardless.
The premise of The Jackbox Survey Scramble is solid, and its format leaves plenty of room for expansion and innovation. The Survey Scramble could easily have been included in a Jackbox Party Pack 11, but its unique focus on survey-based gameplay justifies its standalone release. With its blend of fun and strategy, Survey Scramble is poised to become a party favorite, standing alongside classics like Murder Mystery Party, Tee.K.O., Quiplash, and Fibbage. If you’re looking for your next party hit, this one is worth adding to your collection! Your Mega Collection!
A Steam code was provided in advance by the publisher for review purposes
