Meeples Overboard

Category: Board Game Reviews

Codenames Pictures game review
Codenames Pictures* is a team based party game. Where one person from each team gives a one word clue, which their team uses to deduct which picture cards on the table represent their spies. If you have played the original Codenames, this follows the same rules but uses pictures instead of words to depict the spies.

We love Codenames*. And have already played it on more than twenty days this year. We introduced it to friends on a skiing trip earlier this year and by popular demand we played it every night. While we’ve been in lockdown in the UK, we started a weekly virtual Codenames night with up to ten people joining by Zoom.

Everyone loves the original, but after playing it for more than 10 weeks I thought it would be good to try something different. So I was very excited to try Codenames Pictures when Asmodee offered us a copy to review.*

Codenames Pictures Overview

Game Type – a team based party game involving deduction

Aim – To be the first team who finds their spies (pictures) before the other team

Players – 4+ players
The box says 10+ but our 8 year old likes to join in

Time to play – 15 minutes

Components

The game comes with sealable plastic bags which makes it easy to store everything in the box. It also makes the game portable as you can take just the bags. Inside the box you get:
- 140 double-sided picture cards
- 60 double-sided key cards or spy maps
- 15 agent cards — in each colour and 1 double agent
- 4 innocent bystander cards
- 1 assassin card
- 1 rulebook
- 1 card stand
The picture cards have jumbled or abstract images so it is possible to make multiple connections between them.

How to play

Objectives

The objective is to find your spies before the other team finds theirs, and to avoid the assassin.

Setting up Codename Pictures

A grid of picture cards is set out five across and four up. Two teams are formed, red and blue, and a spymaster chosen from each. A key card is put in the stand and positioned so only the spymasters can look at it.

The agent, bystander and assassin cards are placed near to the grid. The team that goes first is chosen by the colour on the outside of the keycard. This team is given the double agent card, so they need to find one more agent (the double agent card is red on one side and blue on the other).

Playing Codenames Pictures

The spymasters look at the colours on the keycard and match them to the grid of picture cards to work out which cards represent their spies. They think of words that connect the cards without linking to any other cards in the grid. Each clue must only be one word, followed by the number of cards they want their team to guess.

Their team can discuss the clues and options and make a final guess by touching the card. If they are correct it is covered by the spy card of their colour, if they are incorrect it is covered by the colour shown on the keycard. This could be a spy from the other team, an innocent bystander or the assassin (in which case you lose the game).

If the guess is correct they can make another one and if it is incorrect the turn ends. It is not necessary to guess all the numbers as a clue can be used on a future turn, although you can only make one additional guess each turn.

It is then the opposing team’s spymaster’s turn to give a clue. This continues until the end of the game.

How we’ve played remotely

We’ve used Zoom to play Codenames and Codenames Pictures remotely. We use Zoom on a laptop to see our friends and join in the conversations. To show the cards we use a mobile phone, connected to Zoom but on mute, looking down at the table. We’ve created a phone holder using a tripod, boom arm and a phone holder my husband had to hold his phone on his drum kit.

Since discovering the game on the ski trip, most of our friends have bought the original Codenames. During lockdown, they’ve also been playing it remotely with family, and have used a variety of methods to hold the phone including brooms and bamboo canes!

Ending the game and winning

There are two ways of winning Codenames Pictures. Your team can find all their spies before the other team or the other team can guess the assassin by mistake.

We don’t keep score. However, we have a rule that the winning spymaster stays on for the next game. And if you are spymaster for the whole evening, you get great kudos.

Do I recommend it?

Yes, although not necessarily more than the original Codenames. This will depend on how and who you’re playing with. For example, if you’re playing with younger children they could find it easier to link pictures than words. However, playing it over Zoom (the only way we’ve played so far) some of the picture details are lost, which makes it harder to play than the original.

It is certainly nice to have variety using the exact same game play. We’ve played Codenames so many times with the same group of people that the words are getting very familiar, even with the additional cards in Codenames Duet. And I look forward to playing Codenames Pictures in person.

Things I like
- Fun mechanism
- Children can get involved
- Portable
- Quicker game than the original as fewer cards to guess
- Pictures are good for people who think better with imagery than words
May be a challenge
- Need 4 or more people
- Harder to play over Zoom
Other games you may want to consider

Party Games
- Codenames Pictures (my review)
- Telestrations (my review)
- Just One
- Decrypto
- The Resistance
Team Games
- Codenames
- Decrypto
- Wavelength
- Concept
- Taboo
* Disclaimer – I received this game through the Asmodee Blogger Board Game Club. This was a free game in exchange for an honest review. All comments are my own. This post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something I may earn a percentage of the value. However it does not cost you any more.
July 31, 2020
Telestrations game review
Telestrations* is a party game described as a drawing version of the childhood game Telephones (or in the UK Chinese Whispers). You start by drawing a word and passing it round the group to see if the last person can work out what the original word was — which from my experience is not often.

We have a similar game called Scrawl which our children have been desperate to play, however as its rated 17+ it is not suitable for them. We played Telestrations earlier in the year when we visited some friends and the children loved it, so when Asmodee offered us a copy to review they were very keen for us get our own copy

Game Type – Real time drawing party game, meaning everyone draws at the same time.

Aim – The aim is to have fun, although if you’re feeling competitive you can aim to be the person with the most points at the end.

Players – 4-8 players, it is better with more players.
The box says 12+, but we’ve played with our 8 year old. The ability to play with younger children is likely to depend on whether they can read the words and write their guesses.

Time to Play – The suggested time is 30 minutes. This will depend on how many rounds you play and whether you stick to the 60 seconds maximum limit to draw your picture.

Components

The box comes with a plastic insert to hold all the components and it does a good job of holding them in place even if you store the box on its side. Inside the box you get:
- Box of double sided word cards
- 8 erasable sketch books with different colour binding coils
- 8 dry erase markers
- clean up cloths (these are stored under the sketch books so you may not find them if you’re not playing the full 8 players)
- 60 second timer
- 1 die.
How to play

Objectives

The main objective is to have fun. However, if you’re playing with a competitive group you can score the best pictures and correct guesses, and in that case the person with the most points wins

Setting up Telestrations

Each person gets a sketch book and marker and write their name in the front of the book. Decide if you’re playing the yellow or blue side of the cards (this side or that side) and take a card.

Playing Telestrations

Roll the die and match the number to a word on your card, this is your secret word. Write it on the first page. Everybody does this at the same time.

If you’re playing with an even number of players turn to page 1 and draw your word. If you’re playing with odd numbers turn to page 1 and pass to the next player, so they can draw it (they’ll need to look at your secret word). This ensures the last turn is a written guess.

You have 60 seconds to draw the picture. When the timer has finished, turn the page and pass the book to the person to your left. They look at the previous page and guess the secret word. After writing their answer, they turn the page and pass the book to the left. This continues until you get the sketchpad with the same colour coil back.

Ending the game and winning

When you get the notebook with the same colour coil back you reveal the pictures and guesses. We like to do this in reverse, starting with the last guess and working back to the secret word.

We’ve never scored it. But if you want to score, there are two options included in the instructions, based on accuracy of guesses and favourite guesses or drawings.

Can you guess the two secret words below?

Do I recommend it?

Yes. Telestrations is a great, fun, simple party game playing up to 8 people. You can use it as an ice breaker if people don’t know each other very well or as light relief between other games.

Things I like

Simple to learn
- Funny
- Involves drawing
- Quick moving as everyone is doing the same action at the same time
Things that may create challenges
- Need 4 or more people
- Younger children may smudge the pages and get pen on their fingers etc
- If younger children are not great at spelling or writing, it will make it hard to work out their guesses
Other games you may want to consider

Other Party Games*
- Codenames Pictures (my review)
- Telestrations (my review)
- Just One
- Decrypto
- The Resistance
Other real time games*
- Magic Maze
- Sushi Go Party
- Exit: The Haunted Cabin
- Galaxy Trucker
*Disclosure – this post includes affiliate links which means if you buy something after using it I will earn some money from the seller for suggesting you visit them. However, it will not cost you anything extra.
June 30, 2020
Time’s Up Party Game Review
Time’s Up Party* is a fun quick party game involving guessing people from descriptions of miming. It is based on the long-standing game Celebrity. Unfortunately due to the lock down we haven’t been able to experience this as a party game, but we have given it a good go as a family.

I’ve been looking for a new team based party game that is portable. We introduced our friends to Codenames (my review) earlier this year, and there is a chance they’ll be bored with it by the time we go away next year. So was very pleased when Asmodee asked if we’d review Time’s Up Party, could this be a contender for the next ski trip?

https://youtube.com/watch?v=SjNOXnbUwik%3Frel%3D0

Time’s Up Party Game Overview

Game Type – This is an acting, guessing and memory game, played in teams.

Aim – The aim is to be the team who has guessed the most cards correctly after three rounds.

Players – 4-12 players
The suggested age is 12+, however this is dependent on the names on the cards. I’ve successfully played this with an 11 and 8 year old, but think it will be more fun with adults.

Time to Play – The suggested time on the box is 40 minutes, but this is variable depending on how many cards you start with, and how good the acting and guessing skills are.

Components

The box is unusual as it is almost a cube, however if that doesn’t fit on your shelves it also comes with a bag so you can keep all the components in there instead.

The game also comes with over 200 name cards (each has two names), a biographies book if you don’t know a name, sand timer and score book.

When you open the box the first component you notice is the bamboo. It is stackable wood pieces painted in three different colours. The player action markers and dice are also wooden.

The panda and gardener are pre-painted plastic miniatures, and blue plastic sticks depict the irrigation channels. Everything else is cardboard of varies thicknesses.

Each player has a board that reminds them of the possible actions each turn, and to collate their loose pieces. Thes boards maybe optional in a game with adults, but I think they are essential in a game with children.

How to play Time’s Up Party

Objectives

To be the team with the most correct guesses at the end of three rounds.

Set up

The first thing to do is to split into teams. We’ve only played it with two teams, but the scorecard suggests it will work with up to four.

Start by creating the deck of cards which will be used for all three rounds. This is done by dealing 40 cards between all players. Each person reviews his or her cards and if they don’t like / know a name they can swap it with the remaining cards. The selected cards are shuffled together and given to the first player.

When we’ve played with children we’ve all picked cards from the deck until we each have five we know as this increases the chances the children will know the names and also means the game is quicker.

Round 1

This is the describing round. The first person to go describes the name on the card until their teammates guess it, they continue with a new card until the timer runs out. The deck is passed to the person in the second team; until all the cards are gone. The number of correct guesses are added to the scorecard for each team.

Round 2

The cards are collected, shuffled and given to the first person to go in this round. This time only one word can be given as a clue, but as everyone, may, remember who is in the deck this can be easier than you expect. The rules state you can only make one guess per card in this round, but we ignored this when we played with children. The correct guesses are added to the scorecard.

Round 3

This is the miming round. The cards are again collected, shuffled and given to the first person to go who can not use words to describe the name, so has to rely on actions and humming. Again, memory from the previous two rounds is important.

Ending the game and winning

The game ends when the last name is guessed at the end of round 3. The winning team is the one with the most correct guesses over the three rounds.

Do I recommend Time’s Up Party?

Based on my experience playing this with children I do recommend it as I’ve had fun, particularly in Round 3. However, I am looking forward to playing it with more adults as I think it will be quicker and even more fun.

We managed to adapt this to play with our children, but they still struggled with some names. So if you want to play with younger children, there is a Kids version which uses pictures, but it doesn’t seem easy to get hold of in the UK. Fortunately, Asmodee wants to entertain families during the pandemic and has provided a number of print and play games on their website, including Time’s Up! Kids so you can easily try it out.

Things I like
- Simple to learn
- Quick turns
- Everyone knows some of the cards in the deck as they chose them
- You can use your memory to help in rounds 2 and 3
- Portable
- Team based
Things that may create challenges
- You maybe limited by your knowledge of people (the biography book might help, but we’ve always forgotten to use it)
- The younger the players, the fewer people they are likely to know
Other games you may want to consider

Party Games
- Codenames Pictures (my review)
- Telestrations (my review)
- Just One
- Decrypto
- The Resistance
Team Games
- Codenames
- Decrypto
- Wavelength
- Concept
- Taboo
* Disclaimer – I received this game through the Asmodee Blogger Board Game Club. This was a free game in exchange for an honest review. All comments are my own. This post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something I may earn a percentage of the value. However it does not cost you any more.
May 1, 2020
Family Challenge – Who Solved The Rubik’s Toys First?
Have you noticed the Rubik’s Cube is back. Well at least in our part of the UK it is. It is a very common sight to see children playing with them as they come out of school. So we were delighted that John Adams sent us some new releases*.

Our Rubik’s Experience

I’m a child of the 80s and have clear memories of trying to complete the Rubik’s Cube. And the only way I did it was to remove the stickers. And yes I really did that at least once, much to the annoyance of my mother who used her maths and logic skills to solve it. She also got pleasure from completing the ridiculously hard Rubik’s Cube jigsaw I was given for Christmas (yes the Christmas jigsaw tradition has been going on for a long time).

So my mother was better at the Rubik’s Cube than me.

Last year my children’s primary school introduced a Rubik’s cube challenge. They gave a number of cubes to each year group and asked the children to:
- Complete one side
- Complete the whole cube
- Teach someone else to solve the cube.
For each challenge a child completed they were given a certificate in assembly. Our children soon got the bug, so we gave B, our 10 year old daughter, an original 3×3 Cube, and M, our 7 year old son, a 2×2 cube for Christmas. B got good and soon got her first certificate for completing one side, and could occasionally do the whole cube and teach people to do the steps she knows.

So my daughter was better at the Rubik’s Cube than me.

What makes Rubik’s Cubes great toys?

So what is it about the Rubik’s Cube that means it’s still popular after 40 years. Well because they’re addictive; either trying to solve it, or feeling the need to solve every mixed up cube you see. And there are lots of benefits for spending time playing with Rubik’s Cubes as they:
- Teach you to notice patterns
- Improve your memory
- Teach you patience
- Increase your dexterity and reflexes — especially if you solve the cube at speed
- Keep your brain active
- Are a way to start conversations — particularly if you have an unusual variation
- Give you a sense of achievement when you complete it the first, second and third time
- Develop your perseverance
- Encourage you to break down complex problems into smaller steps
- Increase your focus
I’m sure there are other benefits as well. Another advantage is they are not digital — which would you prefer your children to be playing with one of these or on a phone?

Different Rubik’s variations we’ve tried

Over the last 40 years I’ve tried many variations, with differing levels of success. How many have you tried and how many have you completed?

Solo variations
- Rubik’s Cube* — the original 3×3 Rubik’s Cube although the new version uses embedded coloured tiles instead of stickers, so you can no longer cheat, like I did
- Rubik’s 2×2* — a smaller version of the original cube which it is simpler to solve, although none of us have completed it yet.
- Rubik’s Snake / Twist* — another variation that came out in the 80s. I remember spending hours working out how to create a ball (which I can still do).
- Rubik’s Magic — another 1980s version that I owned. I also had a book that explained how to go from separate rings to linked rings, but then I learnt the quickest way and thought I was very cool
- Rubik’s Clock — I got this as a gift in the 80s, the aim was to get 2 sets of 9 clocks pointing to 12. Another one that I didn’t solve.
- Rubik’s Edge* — this is 3x3x1 so just one layer of a Rubik’s Cube, but some pieces can twist in directions you may not expect. I really like this version because it is small /portable and solvable. I know this because I solved it with no help from anyone or the internet. This gave me the confidence to give the original cube ago again. If you are looking for help to solve it my suggested steps are:
  - Make the cube flat by rotating in any parts that are sticking out
  - Get the outer edge colours correct
  - Sort out the top and bottom edges, this is often done by twisting the edges from the Yellow to the White Side, you do this by pushing the middle column away from the two edge column so you can access the edge piece to rotate it
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- Rubik’s Orbit* — still has 6 sides, but they are based on three connected rings, and each side has four coloured pieces – and we are all finding this one hard
Multi Player Games
- Rubik’s Cage* — this looks like a large Rubik’s cube. You take it in turns to drop cubes into the cage, rotate the cube or flip it to help your chances of getting three cubes in a row, or impacting someone else’s chances. The cubes and cage feel great so it has been fun to play and I think it will get more competitive, once the children have more spacial awareness to think ahead about rotating and flipping the cage.
- Rubik’s Match* — everyone has the same cards which they use to build the same pattern. The first person to create it wins the card and the person with the most cards wins. The patterns start simple, but even I’ve found some hard ones tricky as you need to overlap cards, but have limited cards available.
So who solved the Rubik’s toys first?

I’m very pleased to say that I solved the Rubik’s Edge and the original Rubik’s Cube first. In fact, I’m currently the only one in the family who can do the Rubik’s cube. B is close, and she has a much greater understanding of why she is doing certain moves, whereas I’ve learnt a sequence of moves that get me there — eventually. So far none of us have made much progress on the Rubik’s Orbit.

Regarding the games, I have won each game of Rubik’s Cage as the children are still learning to think in 3D. However, it is difficult to beat B at Rubik’s Match. She really enjoys the problem solving aspect so has worked through all the pattern cards on her own, just for fun. At 7, M finds both of these games difficult and is slower at building the patterns in Rubik’s Match, but I’m sure he’ll get quicker with age and practice.

As we approach December, you might be thinking some of these toys would make a good stocking filler, for children or adults. And you wouldn’t be alone as a recent survey^ revealed a third of parents would choose a Rubik’s Cube as a stocking filler. And as a parent who gave them last year I would recommend it. My only advice is to choose a version that is challenging, but not too hard for them. For example, completing the Rubik’s Edge encouraged me to complete the Rubik’s cube, something I never thought I’d do.

^ 2000 people were included in the survey and other favourite choices includes chocolate and stationery (information provided by John Adams).

* Disclaimer – I received these Rubik’s toys in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something I may earn a percentage of the value. However it does not cost you any more.
November 15, 2019
Splendor board game review – a game we love
Splendor* has been a big hit with everyone in our family. We all love it. You lead a merchant guild and you’re trying to gain prestige by building the best network of mines, transport, craft people and jewellery stores.

I knew this classic game by name, but had not seen or played it before we were sent a copy to review. I’m always excited to try well-known games that are missing from my playing history, and I was not disappointed by this one.

Splendor involves jewels, buying and making money. And there are royal people in it.

M – 7 year old boy

Splendor Board Game Overview

Game Type – It is a card selection and set collection game. It also involves engine building (buying cards help you buy more cards in future rounds).

Aim – The aim is to be the person with the most points at the end of the game.

Players – 2-4 players
The suggested age is 10+, but my 7 year old son enjoys playing, he develops his own strategy and does well at scoring points.

Time to Play – The suggested time is 30 minutes, which feels right, although it can take longer with children particularly if they struggle to focus.

Components

Depending on how you store your games, this could be a great box or very disappointing. We tend to keep our games on their side, either on the shelves or when we’re taking them to play with friends, and there is a lot of movement inside the box. But if you keep the box flat then you may be pleased with the segregation of the components, particularly the cards, which are easy to locate in the box. One thing you’ll notice when you open the box is it bigger than necessary.

There are five types of gems; rubies, sapphires, emeralds, onyx, and diamond. There is also gold, which acts as a wild card. My son was disappointed that the game didn’t include actual gems, or even fake gems. However, the gem tokens are great to play with. These tokens could easily have been made from cardboard disks, but instead they are similar to poker chips and have a presence when you play them. The gems are used a lot in the game, so making them from plastic means they will have good longevity.

How to play Splendor

Objectives

The aim of the game is to get the most prestige points. You get prestige points in two ways, buying development cards (not all have points) and being visited by a noble.

Game play

On your turn you can do one of three actions:
- Collect gems
- Buy a card
- Reserve a card and get a piece of gold (wild card)
When you buy a card it adds a permanent gem to your wealth, which means you need fewer gem tokens future rounds. There are three levels of cards, with the highest needing more gems to buy them, but having more prestige points on them. As there are a limited number of each type of gem it can be useful to buy the lower level cards, even though they rarely have prestige points, as they help you get the higher cards. You build an engine where you collect gems, and exchange them for bonus cards that help you get more bonus cards. Although my son likes to play a different game and often successfully goes for the highest level cards first.

You may also get prestige from nobles visiting. The nobles are randomly selected in each game and will visit the first person to get the specified combination of bonus gems (the ones shown on cards). Each noble that visits gives you three points.

Ending the game and winning

The end of the game is triggered when somebody gets 15 points. Assuming that person is not the last player, the round continues until everyone has had the same number of turns. The person with the most prestige points wins, this may not be the person who got 15 points first.

Why I’ve played it on ten different days

This is the third game I’ve played ten times this year, as part of my 10×10 game challenge. At under two months it is the quickest to get to ten plays; which shows how much we love this game. A big reason is it is a good game for both children and adults, or any combination. And a small reason is my son loves gems and making money (or in this game getting more gems).

Splendor makes you think logically about what’s going to happen, and you have to think about what gems you’re going to need in the future.

B – 10 year old girl

Do I recommend Splendor?

Absolutely. We have loved playing Splendor*; it’s going to be a game that we continue playing. I think it will stay in our collection for a very long time, and we may investigate the expansion sets*.
- Simple to learn
- Quick turns – just one action each turn
- Different strategies to get points
- Gem tokens feel great
- Introduces engine building
- Box insert is not great at holding components in place
- I’d prefer an extra line on the score pad
Other games you may want to consider*

Set Collection
Engine Building Games
- Wingspan
- Century
- Steampunk Rally
- Gizmos
* Disclaimer – I received this game through the Asmodee Blogger Board Game Club. This was a free game in exchange for an honest review. All comments are my own. This post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something I may earn a percentage of the value. However it does not cost you any more.
September 27, 2019
Takenoko board game review
30 August 2019, 10:25 PM
In Takenoko* you are a member of the Japenese court who has been given the task of looking after a Giant Panda gifted to the Japanese Emperor. You need to set up a garden, grow bamboo and feed the panda.

The only things I’d heard about the board game before Asmodee sent us a copy* was it is cute, and highly regarded (it has an average rating of 7.3 / 10 on Board Game Geek). Antoine Bauza also designed other classic games including 7 Wonders, Hanabi and Toikado (which I enjoy playing on my tablet).

There are only two pieces that move around the board, so it is a good game to introduce the idea of shared pieces that anyone can move. All the pieces are played to a central board, that you try to influence to meet your objectives e.g. eating bamboo that someone else has grown.

I like the game because I enjoy working together when we’re not really working together

B – 10 year old girl

Takenoko Board Game Overview

Game Type – Takenoko is a themed light strategy game. The theme is a bamboo garden in Japan and each player’s decisions impacts on the game, but elements of chance is through the cards you pick and the weather dice.

Aim – The aim is to be the person with the most points at the end of the game.

Players – 2-4 players
The suggested age is 8+, but my 7 year old son happily plays (although his turns are not quick).

Time to Play – The suggested time is 45 minutes. My experience playing with the children is slightly longer, but under an hour.

Components

The front of the box has a cute picture of a panda walking with an umbrella. There is also different artwork on three sides; the panda, the emperor and the stressed gardener.

The plastic insert is pretty well designed with obvious spaces for all the components. Our games tend to spend a lot of time on their sides either stored on our shelves or when we take them to play with friends. I’ve found the pieces do move around the box, but they are easy to sort out and get the game started.

When you open the box the first component you notice is the bamboo. It is stackable wood pieces painted in three different colours. The player action markers and dice are also wooden.

The panda and gardener are pre-painted plastic miniatures, and blue plastic sticks depict the irrigation channels. Everything else is cardboard of varies thicknesses.

Each player has a board that reminds them of the possible actions each turn, and to collate their loose pieces. Thes boards maybe optional in a game with adults, but I think they are essential in a game with children.

The instruction book starts with a cartoon which explains the theme of the board game. It also explains where the name of the game came from and how to write it in Japanese characters. There is also a list of game materials and I suggest you check this as our game had a miss-printing so one of our improvement tokens is blank.

How to play Takenoko

Objectives

The aim is to be the person with the most points at the end. You gain points by completing objectives. There are three different types of objectives and you start the game with one of each type:
- Plots — arrangement of irrigated garden tiles of different colours.
- Gardener — growing bamboo of a certain number, colour and height.
- Panda — collecting pieces the panda has eaten of certain colour and number.
Takenoko is interesting as the cards are very different – what the panda eats, garden layout, what you grow

M – 7 year old boy

You keep your objective cards hidden which means people can’t aim to disrupt your objectives. This could be a good benefit if you’re playing with children as they can focus on working towards their objectives and not worrying that someone will disrupt them.

Actions

Each person chooses two different actions each turn, which they show by placing markers on the action section of the board.
- Pick and place a garden tile – pick three, choose one and return the other two to the bottom of the pile.
- Take an irrigation channel – pick one channel and either play it or store it for later (it is not an action to place it later).
- Move the gardener — move to any tile in a straight line of where he starts, and grow a piece of bamboo (if the tile is irrigated).
- Move the panda — move to any tile in a straight line from where it starts, take 1 piece of bamboo and put on your board.
- Take an objective card — limited to five in your hand
From the second round, weather also has an impact. The weather is randomly decided by rolling a die. This selects an effect you take before your actions:
- Sun — gain an action
- Rain — chose to add a piece of bamboo on any irrigated tile
- Wind — can take two of the same action
- Storm —move the panda anywhere and gain a piece of bamboo
- Clouds — take an improvement chip and either play it or store it for later
- Your choice of weather
Irrigation and Enhancements

The garden tiles are built around a central water feature which provides irrigation water to any tiles touching it. Any tiles outside this ring need to be irrigated by placing irrigation channels from the central water feature. Another way to irrigate a tile is through improvements. There are three enhancements that are either printed on the garden tile or added as an improvement chip following a Clouds dice roll.
- Enclosure — the panda can’t eat the bamboo
- Fertiliser — the bamboo grows twice as quickly as a normal tile
- Watershed — the plot is irrigated without needing irrigation channels
Game play

It is worth noting that there are not even numbers of each colour garden tile and this is reflected in the objective points for each colour, where green generally has fewer points and pink the most. However, this may not be reflected in your game depending on how many garden tiles are placed.

Takenoko is slow at the beginning as you need to lay a certain amount of tiles and grow a certain amount of bamboo before people can start achieving objectives. However, it does speed up, and it is possible for people to meet an objective with each action on their turn.

I’ve only played this game with 7 and 10 year olds and it has been slow, taking longer than the suggested time. They found it difficult to plan ahead and spent a lot of time working out what to do with their actions. They also found it confusing to work out what they’d done in a turn, even with the board and markers. But equally, they have beaten me without me letting them, so their thinking time was effective!

Ending the game and winning

The last round starts when someone completes a certain number of completed objectives e.g. in a 3 player game after eight objectives. That person gets the emperor card which gives them an additional 2 objective points and everyone else has a final turn.

The points on completed objectives cards are totalled and the winner is the person with the highest score.

Do I recommend Takenoko?

Takenoko will be a good choice if you want to try a board game that:
- Involves decision-making, and not just rolling die and moving
- Introduces gaming concepts such as tile placement, set collection and grid movement which are used in lots of other games
- Keeps people engaged for a longer time
For me, it is a maybe game. I like games that are enjoyable for adults and children, and I don’t think I’ll suggest to play Takenoko. However, I’ll be happy to play it if the children suggest it, and as they have both said they really enjoy it. I’m sure I’ll be playing it more in the future.

Things I like
- Different ways to score points
- Cute artwork
- Stackable bamboo pieces
- Miniature model panda and gardner
- Introduces two actions per turn
- Introduces set collection and grid movement concepts
- Others can’t actively ruin your game
- Introduces the idea that anyone can move the pieces
Things that could be improved
- Long game – at least 45 minutes
- Turns can be slow
- Box insert is not great at holding components in place
- Possible imbalance in scoring – the plot objectives seem harder than the others but for similar points
Other games you may want to consider*

Set Collection
Grid Movement
- Santorini
- Forbidden Desert
- My Little Scythe
- Magic Maze UK USA
* Disclaimer – I received this game through the Asmodee Blogger Board Game Club. This was a free game in exchange for an honest review. All comments are my own. This post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something I may earn a percentage of the value. However it does not cost you any more.
August 30, 2019
Blue Lagoon Board Game Review
Blue Lagoon* is a board game that works for both children and adults. For children it is simple to learn with quick turns. Yet it has depth for adults due to the different scoring options. Each player explores the archipelago, searching the islands to make new settlements. I didn’t know about the game before we got a free copy to review*. After doing some research I was excited to try it because it is:
- designed by the well known designer Riner Kniza (Battles Lines and High Society)
- published by Blue Orange Games whose games include one of our favourites KingDomino and one of my wish list games Photosynthesis.https://web.archive.org/web/20241007203253if_/https://www.instagram.com/p/B0WJbLylk8P/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=614&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.meeplesoverboard.com&rp=%2Fposts%2Fblue-lagoon-board-game-review#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A32350.400000095367%7D View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kate Davis (@katedarktea)
Blue Lagoon Board Game Overview

Game Type – Blue Lagoon is an abstract strategy board game. This means the rules don’t simulate reality, each player’s decisions impacts on the game and there is no element of chance such as dice rolling.

Aim – The aim is to be the person with the most points at the end of two phases. The game is scored twice, after phase one and then totalled at the end of phase two.

Players – 2-4 players
The box says 8+ while the Board Game Geek community suggests 10+. However my 7 year old has enjoyed playing it.

Time to play – The box says 30-45 minutes which fits our experience. However, I think it could be quicker if everyone knows how to play and stays focused.

Components

The box is brightly coloured with a picture reminiscent of Moana. If you enjoy the film, this could be an accompanying resource highlighting the island hopping. A nice touch is the spot UV printing meaning the central boat appears glossy.

The plastic insert is well designed. It is obvious where each piece goes and the player tokens are neat, meaning it is easy to set up a new game.

The player tokens are cardboard disks with a land and a water side. With additional wooden huts for each village settlement. The huts have tiny carved doors and roofs to match the player token colour. The huts were a huge hit with the children I’ve played game with.

The resource tokens are wooden, but don’t look like what they represent. However this isn’t important as they are all different colours and shapes so are easy to identify.

I love the fact the pop out cards have a corner cut out to make them easier to remove. This is a thoughtful addition considering you are unlikely to keep the cardboard once you have removed the pieces

How to play Blue Lagoon

The basic mechanism is very simple. On your turn, you place a token, or a village hut, on to the board next to one of your existing pieces, or by starting a new chain. If the token is on the water it shows the boat side and if it is on an island it shows the land side. And if it goes on a stone circle you take the resource or statue on that space.

However, there are slight variations on how you start a chain depending on the the phase. In Phase one you can start a chain anywhere in the water (huts can only be placed on land). In Phase two you can start a chain from one of the village huts you placed in phase one.

There are lots of choices in the game as there are different ways to score points. Do you build one long chain across lots of islands, or ittles ones that mean you get resources from each island? You can also see what the other players are doing which may change your strategy. Do you aim to maximise your points do you take actions to stop other people collecting as many points? We found it was easier to get blocked in a game with more players, which led to more resource hunting.

As each turn is playing one tile the game should move quickly and keep people’s interest. Unfortunately, this hasn’t happened yet, but I hope the more we play it the more focused everyone one will be. However, the second phase has always played quicker than the first phase. Interestingly, the instructions suggest not playing this phase on your first play. I disagree because it will help to reinforce the rules and scoring, as they are almost the same as the first phase. Plus, everyone I’ve played with has enjoyed the second phase more because they know what they are doing.

Ending the game and winning

Each phase ends when either the last resource is picked up or the last player token is added to the board. Scoring takes place at the end of each phase, using the provided score pad. There are different ways to score points:
- have more tokens on an island than any other colour
- have tokens on 7 or 8 of the islands
- have a long chain touching
- different islands
- collecting resources
- collecting statues
I had a problem with the score pad the first time we played as I thought there should be an extra row. This would enable you to total the two rounds and then sum the totals together. On a later play I realised you get the grand total by adding the individual scores from phase two to the phase one total.

The person with the largest grand total is the winner.

Do I recommend Blue Lagoon Board Game?

Yes, I recommend Blue Lagoon*. I think it will be a great addition to our collection, particularly for those days when we want to play something easy and quick. It also introduces area control and set collection mechanisms which will open up lots of new games to play in the future.

Things I like
- Simple to learn
- Quick turns
- Lots of scoring options
- Well designed box insert
- Cute village huts
- Double sided tokens can be used on land and water
- Introduces area control and set collection concepts
- If you make a mistake you can start a new chain
- Opportunity for deeper games as players start watching what other people are doing
Things that could be improved
- I’d prefer an extra line on the scorepad
- Some of the resources don’t look like what they symbolise
Other games you may want to consider*

Area Control
Set Collection
*Disclaimer – I received this game through the Asmodee Blogger Board Game Club. This was a free game in exchange for an honest review. All comments are my own. This post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something I may earn a percentage of the value. However it does not cost you any more.
July 1, 2019
Playing Cards Review
Playing cards were invented around 9th Century AD, although according to WIkipedia, the type of pack we use now came into existence in the late 18th Century. I thought hard about counting playing cards, because they’re not actually a game, instead they are a tool that allows you to play many many different game varieties. However, I’m glad I did because I would not have accepted us to use playing cards so many times in a year and it shows me that sometimes classic is as good as new.

Playing cards are so versatile that there are games you can play from a young age such as snap. The main limiting factor we’ve experienced is small hands can find it hard to hold a lot of cards. It is possible to find card games which are played single player (patience) upwards, particularly if you combine more than one set of cards.

Why I’ve played it on 10 days

The first time we played with a deck of cards was in a restaurant as a way to entertain the children as we waited for food, without using a digital device. We played games that involved everyone by passing cards around the table – Old Maid and Spoons.

The next time we played was because B was taught a new game during the summer. She wanted to play that a lot and soon after wanted to learn other games.

These are the card games we’ve played this year, with links to instructions on YouTube. Every game has been with my 10 year old daughter, sometimes my seven year old son and sometimes other adults.
- Old maid
- Palace (sometimes known as Shithead) – we played an additional rule that if you play a 5 the next person has to play a card equal or lower to the 5
- Rubbish (sometimes known as Trash)
- Rummy
- Sevens (although we only deal out 7 cards to start)
- Slam (also known as Spit)
- Spoons
Why I recommend playing cards
- versatility – you can play so many games with pack of playing cards including single player games, and games for any age
- cheap – a pack of playing cards is very cheap compared to other games
- compact and portable
What are your favourite card games?
November 29, 2018
Staccups game review
Staccups* is a dexterity game requiring both hand eye coordination and speed. The aim is to be the quickest at stacking your cups by matching the colour of the bottom of your cup to the colour on the top of the cup below. The challenge comes from all players racing to place their cups on the same two stacks.

It is described as for 2-4 players, but you can also play it solo where you race against the clock, in fact I won our game by entering a competition with University Games and having the quickest time on the day. The box says 8 years plus, however my son enjoyed played it at age five. It is just as popular with adults as children, and when I’ve taken it into work or at our games night it has got very competitive.

Staccups is the second game I’ve played on ten different days in 2018 as part of the 10 games 10 times in a year. In fact, I’ve played it more than ten times as the children keep asking to play it.

Why I’ve played it on 10 days

This is a great party / break the ice game. It is easy to teach people as the concept is simple, although harder to put into practice. My son was able to play it from the age of 5, yet adults find it just as fun – although they may get a bit more competitive, including pushing and shoving!

Do I recommend Staccups?

Yes. I really enjoy it because
- its quick to set up
- the games are quick so you can play lots of rounds
- it has a simple mechanism so quick to learn
- the random start colour generator on the base is fun
- simple mechanism so quick to learn
- cheap to buy*
- although it is mostly about speed there is also some strategy on which cups to play so you don’t get left with cups of just one colour
- its not a foregone conclusion because if another players interrupts your flow it can be hard to get it back
- the game is suitable for all ages
I suspect my children will request to play Staccups many more times this year, and I’m okay with that, even if my daughter is starting to beat me!

The only improvement I’d like to see to the game is a more compact box. This is a great game to play with friends and if the box was smaller it would be easier to take it places such as work, games nights and ballet show rehearsals.

Have you played Staccups? What games have you been playing this year?

*Disclosure – I won this game from University Games and all thoughts and comments are my own. This is an affiliate linking meaning if you buy something after following the link I will earn a percentage of the value, but it will not cost you any extra.
September 1, 2018
Hero Realms Card Game
Hero Realms* is a fantasy card game for 2-4 players, originally funded through Kickstarter raising over $500,000. It is a deck building game, meaning you buy and discard cards to build a deck of cards that you hope is stronger than your opponents. It has an average score of 7.7 from 4,500 ratings on Board Game Geek. The game suggests it is suitable for ages 12 years and older. However, my 9 year old daughter loves playing it, and even my 6 year old son has played it.

I’m keeping a note of the games I play this year as I was intrigued by a challenge on Board Game Geek to play 10 games 10 times in a year. And Hero Realms is the first game that I’ve played on ten days.

Why I’ve played it on 10 days

I find it funny this is the first game I’ve played on 10 days because we owned it for about 6 months before we played it for the first time. However, once we tried it we became hooked for two reasons:
- I was eager to show I could win a game – I can win Star Realms which is very similar, but it took many plays for me to get my first win of Hero Realms
- our 9 year old daughter, B, frequently asked to play it
In reality, B is the main driver for playing this game so many times (fortunately she agrees it is much more interesting than Top Trumps*). She particuarly loves that she can beat me most of the time and unfortunately not because I let her win. I don’t understand how she does it.

Do I recommend Hero Realms?

Yes. I really enjoy it because it is
- quick to set up
- simple mechanism so quick to learn
- cheap to buy*
- game is based on strategy not luck or turn of the cards
- it is not a forgone conclusion – the person who looks like they’re winning can change quickly with one strong hand
- game plays differently each time, as you don’t know which cards will come up and whether you can afford to buy them
- family game – my 9 year old daughter asks to play this. My 6 year old has played it with some help but prefers to watch
- expansions sets* are available but are not needed (we haven’t got any yet)
I suspect I will play Hero Realms many more times before the end of the year. Maybe I’ll reach 20 times and maybe I’ll win a few more games. What is your favourite game so far this year?

*Disclosure – this is an affiliate linking meaning if you buy something after following the link I will earn a percentage of the value, but it will not cost you any extra. All thoughts and comments are my own.
April 13, 2018