Is Phantom Ink the Perfect Halloween Game?

This week, Emily gets in the spooky spirit with her review of Phantom Ink. Does this ghostly game of word communication have what it takes to be your next favourite party game? Let’s find out!
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[@Snarkysean]

I like how Emily and Tom are competing for the “most unhinged board game reviews” title on this channel.

[@PaulMDavidson]

To think that Matt is only the third-zaniest person on SU&SD… and I still remember his Ladies & Gentlemen review.

[@bodybagbilly]

Tom needs to step his game up IMO. Emily is wiping the floor with him.

[@jordanbeard6687]

This is the competition for our age.

[@NikolajLepka]

Quinns used to be pre-pandemic

[@robertchmielecki2580]

I think Emily overdoes it, though. Any substance is lost under the form and it is too distracting to even catch the tiny morsels of review inbetween the "noise". Tom kind of walks the line, old SUSD was much more to my liking - entertaining and witty, yes, but also packed with a very comprehensive analysis of the game, how it plays and its pros and cons.

[@SnepShark]

"Having been one, it's shapeshifting, that's obvious!" was a really good punchline

[@CardboardBones]

Absolutely killed me. The amount of gender Emily brings to her videos absolutely sends me

[@carlbutcher2268]

@@CardboardBones It's strange. I used to think everyone had roughly the same amount of gender but somehow Emily just has *more*.

[@CardboardBones]

@@carlbutcher2268 Emily indeed contains the greater gender

[@annbeez]

"An egg's super power is shapeshifting" killed me.

[@Hopefighter]

100% true statement

[@MonEyRuLess]

It has layers...

[@tamsinashton2293]

😂

[@Coerciveutopian]

"I know because I was one" finished it off.

[@JoannaPiancastelli]

*lights some candles and attempts to summon Emily to a game night*

[@EmilyandThings]

🕯️hi🕯️

[@LankyPaddy]

@@EmilyandThings 🍐

[@Mokai]

The scripting and editing on this video was a wild trip

[@david.s.bennett]

It was so amazing.

[@robertthurman9866]

Kind of like a ping pong ball in a dryer. You never know where the next bounce will land.

[@luizurtiga]

Emily really shows that the medium is the message

[@andrewwdavvid]

At the first shot, i thought “yay Emily finally put lav mic on her collar” and then she’s immediately holding it in the next shot. She got me.

[@jaywinner328]

Is this a running gag? Her holding that tiny microphone instead of clipping it drives me nuts.

[@markizle]

Oh boy... do I have news for you. Better get used to it.

[@captaincrash9002]

​@@jaywinner328she did a whole troll video on her channel about it

[@Eval999]

Hate the tiny mic holding thing.

[@MisterFizzer]

I am loving Emily's energy in SU&SD, multiple laugh-out-loud moments this video 😂

[@lukegriffiths1755]

Came here to say the same!

[@mackenziejohnson5200]

Can't believe Emily dismembered and ate the Reference Pear

[@jessecunningham9924]

I laughed out loud several times during this video, especially the cut to Tom reading Emily’s script, while Emily leaned her head against the wall 😂. Another great video Emily! Kudos on all the hard work on this, and really fantastic effects!

[@QuantumMechanic343]

I don’t think anyone is ready for Emily’s amount of self-awareness.

[@GrimLocke161]

I am and I love it. ☺️

[@carlbutcher2268]

This is the game I was demoing at UKGE when Matt asked me for a copy. Which sticks out as slightly embarrassing now because I was, unfortunately, far too star-struck to hold an actual conversation, and possibly overthinking way too much about being professional and whether it would be some sort of insult to his journalistic integrity to invite him to play a demo with us. I'm glad the game is getting plenty of love with Emily now. :) Incidentally, demoing Phantom Ink really shows that it's a fun bonding experience, and a curious social experiment. While I'd have to explain the rules when starting a game, once a game is underway, curious bystanders would often get sucked into it, invited into a team, and start assimilating the rules almost via osmosis. Complete strangers were bonding over this game, and that was a truly magical thing to behold.

[@mackenziejohnson5200]

I'm a simple man: I see an Emily SUSD review, I click regardless of what game it is because I wanna see what ADHD madness she unleashes upon the audience this time.

[@MossyWeb]

The editing excentuates Emily's already great humor so well. Amazing job !

[@jadoubleyou]

This review is so much fun. Silly and genuinely inspired visual gags/scares, good pacing, and 80% more Emily as normal. Emily does what SUSD does best: elevating the theme of a simple game to absurd heights while describing enough rules to understand the game and evoking the spirit (no pun intended) of the gameplay. Mileage may vary on the role of the Spirit. I find it's quite engaging. You're leading your teammate down a path toward the correct answer, but your teammate might be going in the wrong direction and you need to be observant and careful with what clues you give them so they can get back on track. "If I write down LAS will they interpret it correctly as LASER? They seem to be guessing Western-themed clues so they might think I'm writing LASSO. What other sci-fi word could I pick that fits the question?"

[@Shnissugah]

Very agree on the Spirit role. I think the questions and answers that the Spirit chooses to give usually aren't obvious and really determine your success

[@leoff7]

Emily's reviews are like Arrested Development: A storm of jokes per second that you will miss unless you watch it again and again. I love it so much!

[@CandyOnAChopstick]

My brain can’t fully keep up with Emily and I consent to that

[@eri9326]

SUSD was already my go-to review channel, but it’s Emily that finally convinced me to click subscribe.

[@Leron...]

It always bums me out when people compare games like this to Codenames and Decrypto without bringing up CROSSTALK. I'm so curious how Phantom Ink compares to Crosstalk as they seem much more similar than the other games mentioned. P.S. Emily is a treasure and her chemistry with Tom is pure "naive cousins who don't really know how to be their adult selves around each other" energy and I'm here for it.

[@sarahstrongin4400]

Emily is single-handedly getting me back into boardgames. Thanks?

[@VictorGonzalez-xv1hj]

Loving the question mark on the thanks

[@joshlegacy1101]

"Just when I was out, they pull me back in."

[@jackmasters5829]

I just can’t express how grateful I am that Emily was hired. Her editing is incredible, she’s fucking hilarious, and she makes me feel welcome as a newly trans woman. This is absolutely wonderful, and it has made shut up and sit down by a long way my favourite channel on KZbin. You guys are incredible, and keep up the awesome work!!!

[@user-ty4jy4cp3r]

They had a trans woman host before

[@jokerES2]

Oh no, reference pear!

[@shinjial]

Wow, just wow! A board game review that turn out legit creepy. I was sincerely uncomfortable and scared lol.

[@AhJong0]

In an appropriately spooky piece of timing, I played this for the first time yesterday. Was great. Comparisons to Codenames and Decrypto are bang on - not at their tippity top level but still ace. Thanks for another fantastically fun review 😊

[@garyv83]

Emily should speed up, she takes too much time! (Like that, Emily? Wait, I'm not supposed to type this part? OH GOD!!!!) In reality, if Emily lost her manic, frantic pace, I would probably be fearful for the world. Also loved the way she messed with the metaphysical fabric of her domicile during the course of this review. Good luck with your hauntings!

[@FosukeLordOfError]

Dimming the lights lighting some candles and pulling this game out will summon at least one person to play with me?

[@razorboy251]

That was such an awesome fun review! The editing was out of this world!

[@durazno4948]

The sigh as the game boxes disappeared was great.

[@KelniusTV]

Gotta love reviews of vaguely spoopy games, for the aesthetic of nothing else.

[@BBlueBBasterd]

The editing on this is superb, the outfits are on point, the story telling and the lore... What a fantastic video, you outdid yourself on this one!

[@Voidoath]

I wonder what you need to chant three times to summon Emily to your game night.

[@ShunyValdez]

Silencio

[@OutbackCatgirl]

sorry? mommy, sorry? mommy, sorry? mommy, sorry?

[@FirestarLeon]

I love how every reviewer on this channel has a unique energy to bring to video reviews. It’s like a box of chocolates of reviews! You’re getting a lovely variety! Except it’s personalities, not chocolate. And reviews, not chocolate. And I think I also used a valentines metaphor instead of a Halloween one… …Love you SUSD team? 😅

[@sunderedpsyche4289]

I love that the Australian representative of SUSD is Emily 😊 way better than the koala i had been training to review railroad ink using sign language. The two thunbs were a problem i didn't take into consideration when choosing an animal.

[@KaaptnIglo]

aha, that was informative and hillarious. And the montage and special effects were on point. Like in your previous videos, actually :-) Great job, loved it!

[@anonimouse5533]

oh my GOD losing my mind at all these jokes (the egg one!!! the "i would never fall for something like that. ooh, pear!" the squid usage! the everything!!) this is truly one for the books

[@pixyfrog]

Emily has become my most anticipated treat in boardgame review. Favorite one liner: "Oo yum pear!" Why does this crack me up for a little too long?

[@AstromarineCorpse]

The egg joke oh my God

[@TheMr.Bigcat]

Please keep having so much fun! This was so entertaining to watch!

[@themultifish]

Holy crap, excellent editing on the goth-medium Emily scare. Genuinely surprised me. Also Emily's performances alongside non-existent cast members are starting to rival Bob Hoskins' in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Brilliant and entertaining stuff!

[@clisby]

Need to have. Thanks :)

[@princesshansalorre]

1 minute in, and I'm already laughing out loud. quality

[@CaptAwesome915]

I agree with everyone that the production for this review is amazing! Jajaja and Emilys jokes are the best, i already have Decrypto so i really dont think i will get another game with similar mechanics, but who knows, maybe down the line. Awesome video, even more amazing review!

[@Sihoiba]

Excellent video craft, clever use of effects, actually gives off real horror vibes, and the review was good too :)

[@jacksonreynolds7433]

Wild how "ghost helps you with things" is a genre of boardgame

[@Zero-Integral]

Love the Emily videos! Let's have her on the podcast!

[@deadlandplacebo1695]

The egg joke made me giggle

[@momonekufox]

So good! creative and spoopy review, just an absolute treat!

[@nathanearl8436]

Emily and Tom’s adversarial relationship is the new star of the website.

[@monkeyunit4533]

Can we get a kickstarter going for a full length Shut Up & Sit Down full lenght movie?

[@RynoKenny]

Emily, this presentation of yours is amazing, even for a company like SUSD who already knows their way around funny skits and reviews. I hope you’re proud of this piece and keep making more for us!

[@Whitesaber211]

Well they did say they were going more "experimental"

[@nozero1]

This is the energy I need to get me through a Tuesday morning. Eye caffeine!

[@darthvaderyan]

LMAO at the microphone joke

[@satinthrone]

great spooky season episode! many lols ensued xD

[@Whightknight16]

How do I summon Emily for a game night? Cause I wanna have a game night with her

[@tashacraven]

The editing on these is hilarious

[@kylesanz4968]

Amazing review, this one actually made me laugh out loud. Great job!

[@KaaptnIglo]

And spooky reference pear scares me, I'm not ashamed to admit it.

[@rubleprovideo]

This is the best review I have ever seen! This is for game reviews what "Everything Everywhere All at Once" is for movies.

[@nsiepmann]

My god this one must have taken so much work. Worth it though!

[@StonedSidney]

Knew quickly it wasn't a game for me & missus, but watching the video for friggin hilarious and I'm sharing it!

[@iheartmuseums]

Best psychological thriller-comedy ever? 💀

[@Jonasbman]

Emily is welcome to my game nights anytime she wants! This comment was made under no duress or threat of manslaughter.

[@thomashverring9484]

My first Em vid. Hilarious! More, please :^)

[@davidautinify]

delightful video, as always. :)

[@mscottfilms]

My god what a treat. Tom's gonna have to get REAL CHAOTIC if he wants to defend his title.

[@hellorangus]

There's really no need for board game review videos to be as good as this. Thank you! ❤😊❤

[@johnmichaelduffy7414]

The absolutely wonderful chaos of every single one of Emily's reviews makes me excited to watch every time. What an excellent addition to shut up and sit down :)

[@RozanovaHunter]

The editing is amazing as always but the candle lighting itself very much surprised me.

[@CassyCZ]

This video is a masterpiece! I love it so much❤

[@catherinetaylor556]

Great video Emily - up there with SU&SDs best - on,y because it had Tom in it obviously 😂

[@rain1224]

Great review, thank you for slowing it down a little!

[@sitraachra1]

I don't even need to take drugs anymore... Amazing!

[@dadlypuns]

This is absolutely phenomenal. I was surprised at every turn of this short movie. What review? Mmmm. Pears.

[@furstyferret81]

Mic joke cracked me up!

[@Weeeber33]

Looks like fun

[@ChiefTechy]

Your writing and editing style is entrancing and hilarious! I can't look away when you review a game and I get some of my biggest laughs from the channel on your videos.

[@tylervideos8081]

Wow, this was hilarious. First time I’ve seen Emily, huge fan already!!

[@m17guy]

loved this video ❤

[@matisan8407]

"ooh yum, more pear!" lmao

[@AbeKwiatkowski]

Emily... thank you so much for giving your style to this channel's humor. I love SUSD's reviews, and you are a welcome addition to the voices here :)

[@MeTalkPrettyOneDay]

Emily and Tom being the best younger sibling pair on the internet

[@emmaplaysgreen2849]

I never thought that watching an SUSD review would bring back memories of watching the original broadcast of the BBC's Ghostwatch! That was fantastic! Well done, Emily :-)

[@amandaidange4981]

Omg. This is sooo goood!

[@SrTNick1]

Halloween flavored Decrypto is great, because anything Halloween is great.

[@Imperor]

These are fast becoming my absolute favorite content on SU&SD. Fantastic!

[@Furore2323]

The sheer _craft_ of your videos, they are so tight.

[@6Gluttony6]

My search for a perfect board game reviewer is complete.

[@alexbiersner3350]

Yet another banger from Emily. She really hit the ground running when she first did a video. And they keep getting better and better!

[@psychoticvenom]

You are... incredibly unhinged! In a way that I'm here for. :)

[@theautisticguitarist7560]

NO THE STANDARD REFERENCE PEAR EMILY WHAT HAVE YOU DONE

[@michaelstevenson5044]

wow I caught this video early. I like it

[@ascendingrules]

Holy ****. That had me on the edge of my seat. Awesome, awesome review.

[@gustavakerfelt6691]

Well. That was completely mad. I'm here for it.

[@seantilson8728]

Another fantastic video.

[@MarlonDait]

i absolutely adore emily and the editing of this video

[@AstridCeleste96]

This is my favorite board game review ever holyyy WAIT MORE PEAR

[@deebernaers137]

Emily's vids are always a wild ride, love it ❤

[@wizzardoffuzz]

Emily has quickly become someone who I look for in videos! Fantastic addition!

[@patrickpachal6410]

Ok I saw that there was a review in there but despite that, it’s a wickedly cleaver, spookily silly little story. Who else wants Emily as their new RPG game master?

[@NathanRyder]

Watched last night and shared with my ten-year old daughter this morning who absolutely loved everything about the video, both the humour and the spooky vibes. She loved it so much she wanted to watch it again immediately afterwards ❤