Author: kgrivalsky

1. Nature’s Harmony– Players explore vibrant environments to collect sounds from creatures and plants. solve puzzles to unlock new areas and create a unique musical experience that influences the world around you.
2. Time Traveler’s Gallery– Players travel through different historical periods to collect famous artifacts. Make choices that affect the timeline and build a personal gallery, and the story is then shaped by your choices.
3. Dreamscape Collectors– Players will collect dream creatures the represent different emotions in different dream worlds. Craft your dream escape to upgrade your abilities, and trade with others to compete in collections.
4. Artifact Archetype– Players will collect and trade cards representing ancient artifacts, each with their own abilities. Strategize your building strategy to form the best deck and unlocking unique events and cards.
5. Mythical Menagerie– Players will create and manage their own sanctuary for mythical creatures. Explore to collect different creatures, take care of them, and customize your sanctuary to attract visitors.

Was it fun? Not really

What were the player interactions? Players had to try to clear their section of the board first while gaining as many stacks as the can with their opponets pieces.

How long did it take to learn? The game didn’t take too long to learn, it was just very hard to rememeber whose pieces were whose after awhile.

Would you play it again? Maybe, but it wouldn’t be my first choice.

Analyze the game using the 3 act structure.

Act 1– Reading the instructions and setting up each of our sections of the board. Making sure we knew which pieces could move which ways.

Act 2– We decided who went first and began to move our pieces around trying to stack on our opponents pieces and clear our section of the board.

Act 3- Each of our sections only had a few pieces left and the last few stacks were made and the winner was found.

What are the collaborative and or competitive aspects of the game? This game has to modes: Collaborative and competitive. We chose to play competitive, though I do see how the collaberative section would work. Collaborative: each of the players would work together to strategize and work together the best/fastest way to clear the board. Comepetitive: Each player comes up with their own strategy to clean off their section but still gain as may stacks asthey can.

What is the game’s metaphor and which of the game’s mechanics standout?

The pieces, how each one had a different symbol and they could only move certain ways and a certain amount of spaces on the board.

Was it fun? Yes, Catan was very fun

What were the player interactions? Player had to swap cards, and steal cards from one another in hopes to build their road or build a city or settlement. There also was a chance of “sabatoge” in this game, when the knight is activated (when a 7 is rolled) the roller of the dice gets to choose what space to freeze and the owner can’t gaim any resources from that space until another “7” is rolled.

How long did it take to learn? The game overall didn’t take very long to learn.

Would you play it again? Most Certainly, I have even thought about buying this game personally. It is something about games that have the perfect combination of competive game, building and sabatoge that have my attention.

Analyze the game using the 3 act structure.

Act 1– Setting up the game. It was a new game so everything had to be taken out the package and the pieces had to be taken apart. Then it was the matter of figuring out how all these pieces needed set up. We each had to choose a color and take our two road and two settlement pieces and place them where we wanted on the board.

Act 2– Gaining resources each time the dice was rolled if it laned on a number that you have build a settlement or a city on. Then using those resources to buy roads, settlements, discover cards and cities.

Act 3- When we started to gain points and get close to 10 buy buying settlements and upgrading to cities.

What are the collaborative and or competitive aspects of the game? There is some collaberation but it is not for team benefits but rather it is for your own. You can steal cards from other players or trade for another resource. This game can get competive due to the knight (when a 7 is rolled) the player that the “7” can choose to freeze a number that another player has built on. This will prevent that player from gaining any resources when that number is rolled until another “7” is rolled.

What is the game’s metaphor and which of the game’s mechanics standout? I am not sure as what the games metaphor would be. However, having “the knight” stood out to me because it allows the game to have some “sabatoge”, and allows for the players that are behind to catch up.

Objective: Compete to earn the most points by completing trivia questions and physical challenges related to basketball history and rules as you navigate the court.

Game Components:

• Game Board (Basketball court of some sort)
• Challege Cards (Trivia questions and physical challenge)
• Player Tokens (basketball themed players)
• Dice (six sided)
• Score sheet/ Pencils
• Timer (optional)

Setup:

1. Place the Game Board: Lay out the game board in the center of the playing area.
2. Distribute Player Tokens: Each player chooses a token and places it at the starting point on the board (e.g., “Tip-Off” space).
3. Shuffle Challenge Cards: Mix the Challenge Cards and place them face down in a designated area on the board.
4. Prepare the Score Sheet: Ensure each player has access to a score sheet to track points.

Game Play:

• Turn Order: Players decide the turn order by rolling a dice (Highest roll goes first)

Rolling the Dice:

• On their turn, a player rolls the die and moves their token forward the number of spaces rolled.
• If a player lands on a special space (indicated on the board), they must perform the associated action.

Challenge Spaces:

• Trivia Space: If a player lands on a Trivia Space, they draw a Trivia Challenge Card and read the trivia question aloud. If they answer correctly, they earn points (e.g., 1 point for basic questions, 2 points for advanced questions).
• Challenge Space: If a player lands on a Challenge Space, they draw a Challenge Card that may require them to perform a physical task (e.g., “Make a paper ball into a trash can” or “Dribble a ball five times”). If successful, they earn points as specified on the card.

Points System:

• Players earn points based on the type of challenge:
• Correct Trivia Answer: 1-2 points (varying difficulty)
• Completed Physical Challenge: 2 points (or as stated on the card)
• Keep track of points on the Score Sheet after each turn.

Team Challenges (Optional): If players land on a designated “Team Challenge” space, they can collaborate as a team to answer a trivia question or complete a physical challenge, with shared points awarded for success.

Winning The Game:

• The game ends when all Challenge Cards have been drawn or when players agree to finish (after a set number of rounds).
• The player with the most points at the end of the game is declared the “Champion of the Court.”

Additional Rules:

• Timer for Challenges: For added excitement, players can use a timer (e.g., 30 seconds) for physical challenges and trivia answers.
• Disputed Answers: If players disagree on an answer, they can consult a basketball rulebook or trusted source to resolve disputes.
• Penalty for Skipping: Players may choose to skip a challenge but will lose 1 point if they do so.

Tips for Players:

• Stay engaged and supportive during challenges and trivia.
• Use teamwork during Team Challenges to maximize points.
• Have fun and enjoy the mix of knowledge and skill!

Objective: All players must work together to find their own path through the board. The game has no physical instructions so it is up to the players to figure out what the objective of the game by looking for the clues hidden within, whether it is on the board or on the box. Players don’t know the objective of the of the game. The goal is to successfully navigate to a designated end point (the “Finish Line”) before time runs out.

Game Components:

• A Board Game (with a narrow path and hidden clues)
• Clue Cards (hidden in various loctaions on the board)
• Timer
• Player Tokens (Game Pieces)

Set up:

1. Place the Game Board: Unfold the game board and place it in the center of the playing area.
2. Place the Game Board: Unfold the game board and place it in the center of the playing area.
3. Distribute Player Tokens: Each player chooses a token and places it at the starting point on the board.
4. Hide Clue Cards: Randomly hide Clue Cards around the board and within the game box. The number of clues can vary based on player preference (suggest 10-15 clues).
5. Set the Timer (Optional): Decide on a time limit for the game (e.g., 30 minutes) to increase the challenge.

Gamplay:

Turn Order: Players take turns in a clockwise direction.

Movement: On their turn, a player may move their token along the path based on any discussions or strategies agreed upon by the group. The number of spaces moved can be determined by rolling a die (if included) or decided collectively.

Discovering Clues: If a player lands on a space that corresponds to a hidden Clue Card, they may take the card and read it aloud to the group. Clue Cards can include hints, or riddles that help players navigate the board or provide insights into the objective.

Collaborative Discussion: Players must discuss the clues they find. Encourage brainstorming and collaboration to interpret clues and decide the next moves. Players can take notes to help keep track of clues and potential paths.

Reaching the Finish Line: The group wins by collaboratively identifying the correct path to the Finish Line, using the clues they’ve discovered. Players must ensure that everyone agrees on the final route taken to the Finish Line.

Winning The Game:

• The game ends successfully when the players reach the Finish Line together before the timer runs out.

• If time runs out and the players have not reached the Finish Line, they must reflect on their journey and discuss what they learned about teamwork and problem-solving.

Additional Rules:

• Hints: Players can agree to give each other hints based on the clues, but this must be a collective decision.

• Revisiting Clues: Players may revisit spaces they’ve previously landed on if they feel additional context is needed.

• Penalty for Disagreement: If players cannot agree on the next move, they must skip their turn.

Game Modes:

• Timed Mode: Use the timer for added pressure; players must reach the Finish Line before time runs out.

• Exploration Mode: Remove the timer and take a more open approach, allowing for deeper exploration of clues and discussions.