Compounded Board Game

 

Are you an homeschool mom or a parent who is trying to make chemistry interesting to your kids?   Or are you a chemistry teacher who is looking into a creative way to teach your students about compounds?

I think I might just have the game for you - COMPOUNDED.

Compounded is a game in which players take on the roles of lab managers, competing to complete the most compounds with elements that they are managing before their competitors finished - or before their lab explode.

Players can freely trade elements, lab tools, and even favors between each other.  

The game is very well designed and the cardboard parts are sturdy.  There is no way you can bend them (unless you use sheer force that is!).   Even the cards themselves are thicker than normal playing cards in other games I have seen.   

The box comes with a instruction booklet, periodic table scoreboard, lab tools, flame tokens, wild element tokens, personal fire extinguisher, 100 plastic elements, cloth element bag, wooden start player lab key, 68 compound cards, thick cardboard work benches for each player, as well as wooden player pieces with custom stickers.

The game can accommodate 2 to 5 scientists and can last from 30 to 90 minutes.   This game is suggested for ages 13 and up. 

Compounded is available to purchase at your favorite gaming store even on amazon.ca.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Dice Hate Me Games for sending me Compounded for review purposes.  I was not monetarily compensated for this review.  Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.  All opinion expressed here are only my own.

Monopoly Voice Banking

Move over old Monopoly games, here comes a new version this Christmas season - Monopoly Voice Banking -  which allow you to control the game with the power of your voice.
In this electronic version of the game, Mr. Monopoly is the Banker and manages player's money via his top hat. The Monopoly Voice Banking game features lights and sounds, and comes with an interactive Mr. Monopoly banking unit in the form of a top hat. 

This iconic Monopoly top hat is voice activated and the personality of Mr. Monopoly shines as he handles the transactions.  He keeps tabs on player's money and properties so there's no cash or cards to think about. (I suspect that many will like the fact that a banker is not necessary for this particular version of a classic game!)  You simply have to talk to Mr. Monopoly (aka the top hat) and he will respond to you.

For example, press the token's button and say, "Buy St. James Place."   Mr. Monopoly will track the transaction and keeping the game moving.  With the Monopoly Voice game, players will travel more rapidly around the board aiming to be the person ending with the most money and the highest property value in order to win.

The game also got a revamped gameboard with darker colors than the original Monopoly.   I tend to like the darker background as well as the brighter colors on it as it give a more electronic feeling to the game.

Apparently this version of Monopoly will allow to play the game faster as you simply have to speak your decision to Mr. Monopoly and he will manage everything.  This allows you build your properties sets and get the houses and hotels up faster.

The box includes the Top Hat banking unit (including top and brim), the gameboard, four tokens, twenty-two title deed cards, one Get Out of Jail Free card, four reference cards, sixteen houses, sixteen hotels, two dice, and a game guide.

The game was designed for ages 8 and up and will allow 2 to 4 players.  Note that demo batteries are included in the game but you will need to replace them with 3 AA batteries.

The Monopoly Voice Banking game is available at your favorite store, even on amazon (Canada and US).

   

Disclaimer: Thanks to Hasbro Canada for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

DROPMIX–Music Gaming System

There is a new game in store this Christmas season – DROPMIX from Hasbro and Harmonix.  Essentially the game is a music mixing game which uses a mix of physical cards that possesses embedded chips.   However, be warned that you will need either an Apple or Android  device to play the game because you have to download the app and communicate with the board via Bluetooth.

The box comes with 60 cards and an electronic game board with five marked spaces.     Each cards represent a different song.   Note that you will also have the possibility to purchase new music samples by getting new cards as booster packs.  Each booster packs contains different number of cards.

Each card can be used on at least one of the four colors represented on the board.  Each color represent a specific aspect of a song.  For example: while yellow will highlight vocals, blue on the other end would have the drum tracks.   So all you have to do is drop the card in the appropriate spot in order to create a mix or make points.

Some cards (FX) will trigger special events while other ones are considered Wild Cards which means you can play them in any mix slots.  You will need 15 cards to make a playlist.  Oh and the cards have a different level of power from 1 to 3.   A card with a power level of 3 will have more impact on the mix compared to a card of power level 1.

As mentioned before the board has five spaces to insert the cards.  Three of these spaces will accept cards of two different colors while the two other spaces only accept a specific color of card.  

There are three ways of playing Dropmix.

• CLASH: The goal is to reach 21 points first.   You can explore a variety of combos in this version.   Strategically play your cards in order to win and expect the unexpected with the music you create.
• PARTY: In this mode, you will work together to answer requests quickly in order to get the highest score.  
• FREESTYLE: In this mode, you can discover new music by connecting the cards on the board.  You have the possibility to customize and tweak the mix until to are satisfied with what you have.  Then you can show it to your family and/or friends.

Additional cards can by purchase with the DROPMIX Discover Packs (series 1 or 2) or the DROPMIX Playlist Pack (Derby-Pop, Astro-Electric, Ouroboros – Rock, or Mirrors – Hip Hop).  Below is an example of some of the songs you could have in the cards.

If you have a budding DJ in your home or if yourself like to mix songs, I think that this game will be interesting.   Not everyone is a big fan of music and mixing your own tunes so I am unsure on how this game will be received.  However, I can see potential with it because you can make your own music for parties and so on.  So yes, the game is in interesting concept that is worth checking if you are into music and mixing. 

DROPMIX and the packs are available at your favorite store, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

DROPMIX Starter Kit

Discovery Packs

 

 

Playlist Packs

 

Disclaimer: Thanks to Hasbro Canada for sending me the above mentioned products for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Fast Flip

I recently received a quick game from Blue Orange Games called Fast Flip!.  Let me tell you more about this game.

What the game is all about.

Get ready to scramble for the match in this crazy fruit salad! Match your fruits to a number, or numbers to a fruit; you don’t know what match you’ll have to find next! Whether you play with the tokens or with the cards alone, all players of any age will be fast flipping for this brain teasing match up. The game comes complete in a tin for your cards and tokens, making it an easy travel item. The magic distribution of fruits on the cards guaranties that there is always one correct answer. You just need to be the fastest to find it!

My Thoughts

My first impression of Fast Flip! was that it seemed easy to play and quick to learn.  I was right – this is really an easy game that anyone could enjoy if you like games that are somewhat rapid to play.  The cards are double-sided – on one side you will see either a number or a fruit while on the other side you will see a bunch of fruits printed on them.   Before playing, shuffle the cards together and place them facedown in a pile (i.e. you won’t be able to see the side with all the  different fruits printed on it.).

The container contains 54 cards, 10 tokens and the rules.  The token are made of sturdy cardboard that will be easy to grasp for everyone.  The cards are triangular and quite large which makes it a bit awkward to shuffle I find.   If me an adult find it difficult to shuffle them you can imagine how little hands can have trouble as well.  However, I love the original shape of the cards which makes it an out-of-the-ordinary game.  There are three games in this little box which is very interesting because each game are unique and different at the same time.  

The first game is called Flip It!  In this particular game all players play simultaneously, racing to find a match.   This is played over a series of rounds.   At each round, when everyone is ready one person will flip the top card of the pile and place it face up next to the pile so that all can see the different fruits printed on it.  As fast as you can you need to look at the new faceup card and compare it with the card on top of the facedown pile.  If the facedown card shows a fruit, then you have to race to determine how many times that fruit is printed on the faceup card.   If the facedown card shows a number, then you will race to find which fruit is printed that many times on the faceup card.  The first player to call out the correct answer scores the faceup card as one point.  The game is over when there is only one card left in the deck. 

Can you sense the competition building while playing this game?   Personally I hate the stress of it but I can see how it can be interesting for competitive kids and/or adults.

Game number two is called Token Grab.  The box also contains tokens – either fruits of numbers.  You will have five of each – so for the numbers it will be 1,2,3,4,5 and the fruits will have strawberry, raspberry, orange, banana, and pineapple.   The fruits are adorable I find with little faces smiling at you.   While setting up for this particular game, you will have to arrange the ten tokens face up in reach of all players.   This time around, when you find the correct match, you will have to grab the correct token instead of calling out the answer.   This is perfect for a quieter game I find.   When you claim the token, you keep it faceup in front of you within reach of all players.    Scored tokens can be scored by other players on future rounds.  When one player has four tokens in front of him/her, then the game ends immediately and that player is the winner.   You can also play a shorter version of the game where you can decide that the winning player is the one with two or three tokens in front of him/her.

Game three is titled Token Live.  For this particular game, you will have to arrange the tokens in a row.   The order is not important so do whatever you feel like it at that moment.   The tokens will determine which match you are looking for each turn.  When a new card is flipped faceup, players will treat the left-most token as though it were on the back of the card.  Whoever first calls out the correctly matching symbol or number scores the token as 1 point.   The player with the most tokens after all 10 tokens have been played wins.

The skills your kids will develop while playing Fast Flip will be visual perception, processing speed as well as focus and attention.  All these can help your kids to become more observant and quick to respond.

As much as I would like to recommend this game for bringing with you at an appointment, I hesitate to do so simply because I know how kids can get excited about this kind of game and might start yelling when calling a fruit or quantity.    However, if your kids can control themselves and respect the quietness of a waiting room, this game a great to keep them occupied for a little while.  On the other hand, this game is perfect for a quick family fun time (plays in about 15 minutes) or for down time at camp or a retreat.     It could also be perfect to keep the kids busy while camping during a rainy period of time.   The game is perfect for ages 7 and up and can be played for two to eight players.  The box is easy to carry around in your purse or a bag.

I think this game has interesting twist but like I said I would be careful in which environment I would play it as some places prefer quietness over excitement.   I can see how this game would allow the children (and the adults as well) to stay sharp in their observation and quick in their reaction.   Just because I dislike the stress of being the first to call a fruit based on the card/token doesn’t make this game not fun to play.  It is just my personality who do not enjoy that kind of competitiveness.   However, I know that other people would enjoy it.  It can make a great game for kids or adults.   Can you picture adults playing this game at a party?  I sure can… and I also can see them laughing and having a good time.   So whether you consider this game for a child, a young adult in college or university or an adult, I think it will bring joy, competition and good memories to whoever receive it.

Fast Flip! is available at our favorite game store – even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Blue Orange Games for sending me the game. I was not monetarily compensated for this post . Please note that the post was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Smash Up Core Set

Recently I have received a copy of Smash Up to review and over the week-end my husband and I have discovered this game.   The game is for 2 to 4 players but apparently we keep hearing or reading that it is better when you play 3 people.  Personally, we will try to tweak it have 6 players so that our kids can play with us.  We realize that it could make the play time a bit longer if we do so.   

The goal of the game is pretty simple – use your minions to crush enemy bases and the first player to score 15 victory points wins!  The game is essentially a shufflebuilding game where you select two factions which contains twenty cards each, shuffle them into a forty cards deck and compete to smash bases.  

As I mentioned previously there are 8 factions in this game.   Let me present them to you:

• Aliens
• Dinosaurs
• Ninjas
• Pirates
• Robots
• Tricksters
• Wizards
• Zombies

Each faction is composed of twenty cards.  You will need to choose two factions in order to play.

You will also have sixteen bases included in the game.   Before the game start, you will shuffle the bases and positioned some for play.  You will have to put as many bases as you have players plus one.  For example, if you are three players you will put four bases on the table.   The rest of the bases are put on the side for future use when a base if conquered.  Oh!  Each base also has a breakpoint that needs to be conquered as well as three value point listed on the card for the first, second and third.  Bases also possess an ability that could be done during or after conquest.

So the first player to play is the person who got up the earliest that morning.  Most board games have funny rules to decide who is the first player.   It had some twist I find!  Play continues clockwise.   On your turn you will play one minion, one action, play one of each or play none.  Once you have finished your turn you can pick two cards for your hand.  You cannot have more than 10 cards at a time in your hand.  

To play a minion, you will select a base and put the minion card beside it, facing toward you.   Do what the card says and move on to the next step.   To play an action, show your card and do what it says.   Once you have finished, you need to discard the action unless it has an ONGOING ability.

Slowly as the game progress, you will check regularly if the base is ready to score.  Scoring a base happens if    the total power of all minions on that base equals or exceeds the bases’s breakpoint.

When a base is score, the player with the most power on it is the winner.  That player gains victory points equal to the number on the left on top of the base.   The second highest gains the middle number and finally the third place gets the number on the right.   Once a base is score, all cards return to the discard piles of each player except the ones who have some special ability allowing them to move to another base.  Once a player reach fifteen value points, the player wins the game.

For the price of the game, you get quite a bit in it – 8 factions, amazing dividers, and 16 bases.  The game is easy to learn and play.  You should expect a game time of about 45 minutes.  This game is perfect for ages 12 and up.   However, I am pretty sure that my younger kids ages 8 and 10 will grasp the concept quite rapidly – maybe even faster than me…   After two games with my husband, I have yet to win.  However, even if I get frustrated because I do not completely get the ability that I need to do or simply because my hands is packed with minions with no actions (or vice versa), I persevere and I hope to win Smash Up one day.

Smash Up has also a bunch of expansions which will make you game even more interesting like Awesome Level 9000, The Obligatory Cthulhu Set, Science Fiction Double Feature, The Big Geeky Box (Essentially this is a storage box which allows you to store the game and its expansions in it.   It also contains plastic dividers, one factions and two bases.), Monster Smash, Pretty Pretty Smash Up, Smash Up: Munchkin, and It’s Your Fault.  And from what I have seen on BoardGameGeek.com a new expansion titled Cease and Desist is coming out this year.

Smash Up and all its expansions are available for purchase at your favorite game store, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

AMAZON.CA

   

   

   

 

AMAZON. COM

  

  

  

 

Disclaimer: Thanks to AEG for sending the above mentioned game for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this post . Please note that the post was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Valley of the Kings: Afterlife

Valley of the Kings: Afterlife
By Alderac Entertainment Group (AEG)

About the game

When you die, you can take it with you!

Take on the role of Egyptian nobles at the time of the pharaohs, preparing for their death and burial in the Valley of the Kings.  Using an innovative deck-building mechanic with a crumbling pyramid, players fill their tombs with jewelry, chambers, weapons, tomb art and other treasures.  The player who collects the most valuable artifacts in their tomb wins the game.

Our Thoughts

My husband and I played Valley of the Kings: Afterlife recently and we had a great time learning this game.  Essentially the game is a deck-building game but with a different twist as it uses a pyramid design to allow you to purchase your cards.   Let me explain.

After learning how to play the game, we decided to used our lazy Susan in order to be able to switch the play between the two of us.   We find that when it comes to deck-building games it is good to be able to have the flexibility to flip the game play between the persons playing in order to make a better decision.     So we set up our stock (which contained the level II and level III cards), the boneyard (aka the destroy pile), and the pyramid before starting our play.

Each player gets starter cards which are composed of level I cards.  You will receive in your hand 4 Shabtis, 3 Urns, 2 Boxes of Food, and 1 Offering Table.   You also get a Tomb card as well as a reference card if you need it.   In front of you, you would set up your area in whichever way you desire. 

The goal of the game is to get the more points.   Each turn you play you can do one of three things: 1) buy a card from the base of the pyramid, 2) execute the action listed on a card, 3) entomb a card (once per turn).  How can you buy?  Well each card has a cost which you can find at the top right corner.  For example the Sphinx has a cost of 7.   Each card also have value which allows you to purchase other cards.   The Sphinx has a value of 3 which is indicated in the gold area on the left of the image.   Each card also has an action which allow you to do something else.  Again in the case of the Sphinx the action allowed is to put the next card you take or buy this turn into your hand.  For this specific action it means you will be able to use the new card right away.  Also as you play and purchase cards, the pyramid will crumble allowing the cards located at the top to come down in place on the pyramid.  Once you have crumble the pyramid you can incorporate more cards at the top.  However, the pyramid will always have  only six cards.

There are three types of cards: starter cards (the ones you received initially in your hand), the unique artifacts (like the Sphinx, Ibex statue and so on), and the sets (mummification, jewelry, chambers, weapons, and tomb art).

As you play, you need to entombed cards in your Tomb.   At the end of the game the entombed cards will be used to score the victory points.     For starter cards and unique artifacts the victory points are calculated based on the VP listed on the card.  Simply add these up.   However, there is a different twist in calculating the points for the sets.   In this case, when you have entombed sets you have to determine how many different cards in each set you have (do not count duplicates) and then square the results.  Here’s what my tomb looked like when we finished the game.   So for my Chambers set (orange cards)I had five cards in this set which gave me 25 (5x5) victory points.   The rules also include a scoring example for people who might have difficulty in calculating the points. Also a quick note on our setting… My husband discovered that it would be more visual for him to see the cards stacked in categories so that is what we have decided to do but the idea is to stack your entombed cards under your Tomb. 

We really enjoyed playing Valley of the Kings: Afterlife and look forward to play many more games with it.   It is different than the other deck-building games in many ways as you entomb cards and purchase cards from a pyramid.   There is strategy in this game as you have to build set within your tomb in order to score more points.  Consequently, you have to be aware at what your opponent is doing and think before crumbling the pyramid so that you do not give an advantage to your opponent.     The instructions are easy to follow and very clear from what we have seen.  There was one time we wondered about the action associated with a card and we checked for more insights in the instructions book which provided more information about that card.   However, most cards are very easy to understand.  What I particularly like as well is the tidbits of historical information found at the bottom of each cards where you will be able to read about how the Egyptians used different things in their everyday life or preparation for the afterlife.  This game is perfect to wrap-up some studies about Ancient Egypt.  Thought it is mentioned 14 and up for this game, I am pretty confident that my 8, 10 and 12 years old would understood the rules and pick up the game rapidly.   They already play other types of deck-building games that are above their ages.

The best part is that even if Valley of the Kings: Afterlife is a stand-alone game, it can be mixed with the original Valley of the Kings to play a different game each time and also play up to 6 players.    We enjoyed Valley of the Kings: Afterlife so much that we will probably invest in getting the original Valley of the Kings so that we can play with our four kids as well. 

The box contains 96 artifact cards, 4 tomb cards, 4 reference cards and a rule book.  The game is planned for 24 players but it also include a solitaire rules if you desire to play alone.  Expect a playtime of about 45 minutes.

Good news for people who enjoy the Valley of the Kings games – a new version titled Valley of the Kings: Last Rites will be available soon.  In this new version you must hire artisans, builders, and priests to prepare  your tomb for the afterlife.  Again you will be able to mix this one with the two previous titles in the series. 

Both Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Kings: Afterlife are available at your favourite game store – even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

    

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to AEG for sending the above mentioned game for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this post . Please note that the post was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Star Wars Board Games

With the new Star Wars movie – Episode VII The Force Awakens – coming out on December 18th, you must have expected a panoply of numerous toys and games coming out with the Star Wars theme.  Well, already on the shelves of stores around you, you will see such items.   Imagine how delighted I was when I saw a new Monopoly Star Wars, a Star Wars Battleship and a Star Wars Risk at my local Wal-Mart recently.   It was just in time for the Christmas holidays and I wouldn’t be surprised whatsoever if these would sell like cupcakes this year. 

Monopoly Star Wars

In the new Monopoly Star Wars you must be prepare to conquer worlds like Coruscant, Kashyyyk, Hoth, Genosis, Dagoban, Tatooine, Kamino, and Endor.    Inside the box you will find four characters available in this version; Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Finn, and Kylo Ren. Personally, I am a bit disappointed that there isn’t more characters to play with.  With our family of six, it isn’t even possible to have a game where everyone can play.   I understand that nowadays families are generally smaller but not everyone stops at 2 kids… 

The board itself has a circle shape compare to previous editions and you will find that even the money is different than previous editions as well.   This Star Wars version of a classic game will challenge you and your friends to dominate the universe.  The game is somewhat similar but the twist is that you will end up trading planets and bases instead of properties.   You will find Force cards to change your destiny as you play whether Empire or Rebel ones.   Also included in the package of this game, you will have 44 bases (22 Rebel and 22 Empire which are double-sided).

Prepare yourself to conquer the galaxy with your token with this out-of-this-world Monopoly version.

Star Wars Battleship

This new Star Wars Battleship game has everything you will need to play the classic game with the twist of being in the Star Wars Universe.  The game is composed of ships from the movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  All you have to do is hunt, strike and win in order to conquer your opponent.

The game includes a space grid base, a vertical target grid, 8 plastic starships, 8 clear risers, 8 clear starship bases, 60 red hit pegs, 140 white miss pegs, an easy to store case.   You can chose to play as the light side or the dark side and battle head-to-head with a friend. 

 

Star Wars Risk

Finally, your game night wouldn’t be complete if you don’t take out your Star Wars Risk Edition.    Do you wish to control the fate of the Empire?  Well this fun game will allow you to recreate the dramatic final moments from Return of the Jedi.  The gameboard has a  special shape of a Tie Fighter and features 3 scenes for combat.   The ships include an assortment of Star Wars starships. – 20 X-wings, 16 y-wings, 15 B-wings, 56 tie fighters, 6 rebel fleet markets, Millennium Falcon token, as well as the Executor token.    

• The best part of this edition of the Risk game is that you now have two ways to play – 2 players or 2 teams.   Players (or the teams) will choose to play as the light or dark side of the force.   Special Empire or Rebel order cards are also included in the box as well as five dice.  I personally find that the shape of the board as well as the colorful pieces included in this edition of Risk will make it a hot item for the Christmas season.

 

In conclusion, I know that many families probably have older edition of these classic games but having it under a well beloved theme as Star Wars can incorporate some excitement and fun in your game nights with family and/or friends.

The new Star Wars games based on classic editions of Monopoly, Battleship and Risk are available for purchase at your favorite store, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

 

 

 

Disclaimer: Thanks to Hasbro Canada for sending me the above mentioned products for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Carcassonne 2.0

Carcassonne 2.0
By Z-Man Games

About the game

The classic award-winning game is back with a whole new look!

In Carcassonne, players build the area surrounding this impressive city, one tile at a time. They then place a follower on fields, cities, roads or monasteries in order to score as many points as possible. These followers will become knights, monks, farmers and thieves, depending on where they are placed. No matter their function, the player who will most cleverly use their followers will win the game.

Entirely redesigned and modernized, this edition includes two expansions:   The River and the Abbot.

My Thoughts

We never played Carcassonne though I have heard great things about this game.  So I was delighted to receive the newest edition of an already popular game.  This game will allow 2 to 5 players to play for approximately 35 minutes.  What I find interesting about this game and that it is set during the Medieval Times which an era of time that we have studied as part of our curriculum this year.  So having a game based on the Middle Ages is not only fun but educative for us.

The box contains two expansions – the river and the abbot.   In it, you will find 72 Land tiles, 12 River tiles, 1 scoreboard, 40 followers in 5 colors, 5 abbots in 5 colors, 1 rulebook, and 1 supplementary rule sheet.  I find the little wooden pieces adorable and sturdy.   The cardboard pieces are made of very strong cardboard and you can’t easily bend them.   The images on these cardboard pieces are very colorful and illustrate either a village, a monastery, a path or the river.  

The game seems easy to play.  You select a start tile and one after the other, players will place tiles one at a time.   As you advance in the game roads, cities, monasteries and fields are created and expanded.  You can place your meeples on the tiles which allow them to become highwaymen, knights, monks, and formers.   Doing so you score points during the game as well as at the end of the game.  There are various rules depending if you deal with a road, a city, or a monastery.   But essentially, you place a tile, then a meeple, then you count your points.   As mentioned, this specific edition of the game of Carcassonne contains two mini expansion – The River and The Abbot.   The River will embellish the landscape and can add variation when starting a game.    With The River, you will have to set the source and the lake on the table and slowly create the river.   But beware, the river cannot turn twice in the same direction because this would create a u-turn…   The Abbot will introduce gardens and abbots.      The goal of Carcassonne is to score the highest score to be proclaimed a winner.

My only disappointment with this pack is that the maximum of players is five.  With a family of six that is somewhat complicated.  But nevertheless I think I could get some fun time in our week-end with this game. Maybe there is a way of getting a few more meeples on ebay as well…   I suspect that I will get quickly hook on this game and that more expansions might find their way to our house as the years go on. 

Price is 34.99$ on the Z-Man Games

Carcassone 2.0 (New Edition) is available at your favourite game store.

I couldn’t find the edition I have received on amazon.ca or amazon.com.  Instead I have found a set that includes two more players, including the expansions The River, Inn & Cathedrals, Traders & Builders, Hills & Sheep as well as the Wheel of Fortune.  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Z-Man Games for sending me the above mentioned products for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Spending Family Day playing Hasbro board games

Family Day is just around the corner and Hasbro Canada wants to encourage you to find fun activities for your family after spending a bit of time outside on February 18th.   Once the outdoors activities are done whether you opted for ski or skating, why not entertain your family with board games instead of spending time in front of the television?

Switch the electronic distractions (yes even the iPhone mom and dad) and gather your family in the living room for an evening of game play which will help you to reconnect and reenergize your relationship with your kids.   And the best part is that you will create memorable memories at the same time.

Hasbro Canada has more than sixty well-know games for families which gives you a wide range of choices to pick from – Monopoly, JENGA, Sorry!, Draw Something are only of few of the choices you can easily pick at any toy store near you!

This year I want to suggest some new interesting games for you family.

JENGA Boom Game!

About the Game

Stack it and "explode" it with this awesome JENGA Boom Game! Just like in the classic JENGA game, you’ll need a delicate touch to pull blocks out of the stack without knocking it down. But in JENGA Boom, you have to move fast, because you start the detonator before each turn – and you have to get your block out before your time runs out and the stack ""explodes!"" Can you be the last one to pull out a block before the whole thing comes crashing down?

Game includes 36 JENGA hardwood blocks, toy detonator, stacking sleeve and instructions.    For 1 or more players.  

My Thoughts

What an interesting twist to an already well-known game.   JENGA first appeared in the 80s which is one of the newest games according to me (compared to well known games like Monopoly for example).   Did you know that the name Jenga is derived from a Swahili word that means “to build”?   I sure didn’t…  Anyhow the goal of the game is to move the blocks from the tower and place them on top of it in order to continue to build upwards.  BUt for this particular version of the game, you need to add the speed skill in your thinking.  You will have to move really fast because you need to make your move before the timer of the detonator has reached the time limit and the whole tower comes crashing down on you.    

I think this is a fabulous twist in order to incorporate new skills to develop while playing this game.  An amazing way to entertain the kids and keep the challenge fun!

Draw Something

About the Game

There's no need to be an artist to win this fun-filled Draw Something game! While one player draws, everyone else shouts out their guesses at what they're drawing. Whoever guesses the word earns coins along with the drawer, and the harder the word, the more coins you earn! Collect 15 coins for the win!

Includes 4 draw stations, 180 cards, 4 crayons, 4 pads of paper, 4 coin tracker clips and game guide.

My Thoughts

I like to draw when I am in the mood.  My 2nd son has a propensity of drawing whenever he wants to.    My 3rd son is slowly showing talent as well in this area.  So I am excited to try out the new Draw Something game from Hasbro when it arrives.    The best part is that you don’t have to be a professional artist to be able to play this game.  You can do stickman if you want to.  The goal is to make the others guess what you are drawing.  

Since we are homeschooling, we bought a white board and installed it in our dining room.   Whenever I need to I use it to explain a concept to a child (or to more than one).   Anyhow, all this to say that our whiteboard can be used to play Draw Something.   Everyone can be on one side of the table and then we have to guess what the person is drawing.    Also, this game might help the other members of my family to explore new skills…  *grin*

Did you know that this game is based on the Zynga game Draw Something that can be dowloaded on your iPhone/iPod/iPad?   Here’s another great example of how a popular online game can be bring to reality in your living room.

CLUE The Classic Mystery Game

About the Game

Reclusive millionaire Samuel Black’s been murdered in his mansion! Now, it’s up to you to crack the case! Question everything to unravel the mystery. Who did it? Where? And with what weapon? Ransack the mansion for clues, ask cunning detective questions and leave no card unturned. Solve the murder first to win! Fun twist on the classic mystery game features new characters and a two-player version!

Includes Mansion Gameboard, 1 Yellow Murder Envelope, 1 Detective Notepad, 6 Character tokens, 21 Black CLUEDO cards, 13 Red Bonus cards, 6 Weapon tokens, 2 Dice and Game Guide.   For 2 to 6 players.

My Thoughts

When I grew up I always wanted to have the game of CLUE.  Unfortunately, it never happened.   So when I was in 90s I got myself a CLUE Master Detective game which contained more suspects, more rooms and more weapons.    Now we will have the opportunity to play a new edition of the original CLUE and I look forward to see who will be able to solve the murder.  

I find this game to be a great way to develop your deductive skills and use your brain to solve a mystery.  Not only you have to identify the murderer but you need to determine where the crime happened and which weapon was used.    New characters have been added and you can now play a two-player game!

Monopoly Zapped

About the Game

Take an app-enhanced trip through the whirlwind world of property trading with MONOPOLY ZappED! Get the app free from the APP STORE and play your IPAD and gameboard together. (IPAD required, not included.) Use the app to buy and auction property, and transfer MONOPOLY dollars to your iPad with touch-banking cards. Are you raking in the cash? Own the most assets when a player goes bankrupt, and you win! Experience MONOPOLY mayhem with this zAPPed edition!

For 2 to 4 players.    1  Game Board comes with Rubber Pads, 6 tokens, 28 Property cards, 32 green houses, 12 red hotels, 2 dice, 4 MONOPOLY Touch-banking cards and instructions.   Download the free app –Adult Assistance Required.   Requires iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, not included.

My Thoughts

I had the opportunity to review this particular version of Monopoly last year.   We love it as it is very portable with the iPad and we can bring it with us when we travel or go camping.   The kids love the animation included in the app and also get excited when something new shows up.  

The app will offer you challenges to complete in order to determine who will pay the penalty.  Interactive games will allow you to compete against another player in order to determine who will win.  This version of the Monopoly is very different than the regular game as you don’t have to manage the money with paper play money or the manage your properties.   Mr. Monopoly is always there to entertain you and to give you a good laugh.  If you have an iPad, I strongly suggest that you check out the Monopoly Zapped for Family Day

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So if you are still wondering what you could do on Family Day after some outings in the outdoors, why not go pick up a couple of new Hasbro Games over the week-end and have fun together.  Not only will there be joy around the table or in the living room but you will build up great memories as a family.   I challenge you to stop at a toy store and pick at least one new game for your family to play with this week-end.    So hurry up!  Family Day is coming rapidly!

These games are available at your favorite toy store, even on amazon.com.

        

Disclaimer: Thanks to Hasbro Canada for sending me the above mentioned products for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.