New Games in Town

Remember last fall when the wonderful folks at Gamewright gave me and the kids a chance to test-drive some upcoming games? Well, a package arrived the other day containing both games, fresh off the assembly line!

The first is Dweebies, a deceptively simple card game with adorable illustrations. It's simple enough to learn: All you have to do is match up the characters in order to collect cards. But I have to admit that after playing it quite a few times already, I still haven't quite sussed out the strategy! Luckily it's one of those games that's fun whether or not you really know what you're doing. It's a cinch to learn and set up, and it plays quickly too, so you can squeeze in a round just about anytime. And we do.

The other is Forbidden Island, which is unlike any game I've ever played before. The goal is not to be the sole winner, but rather to work together so that everyone wins. Here's the premise: All the players are trapped on an island that is sinking, and each player has a special skill (that is, the diver can swim, the pilot can fly, the engineer can shore up a sinking part of the island, and so on). Together, the whole group has to capture four treasures and then make it to the helicopter pad to get flown off the island before it goes completely under water. It is really cool and exciting. Steph was out when the package arrived, so Andy and I played with Pete and Julie, and we were all practically jumping out of our seats by the end. (We lost, but oh! It was so close!) The illustrations are luscious, and the board sets up differently every time, so it feels like a different game every time you play.

Both games come in metal boxes, and as with all Gamewright games, the cards and other pieces are nice and sturdy. These are the games you'll keep forever. (Our Rat-a-Tat Cat game has been played more than just about any other game we own, and it's still holding up fine after all these years.)

Thanks again to my local game makers at Gamewright!

Comments

[Tonya]

The "Forbidden Island" sounds a lot like the computer adventure games I love to play!

[Sharon]

We love Gamewright games. By the way, we lost Skip Bo about a month ago. Even after your story I was sure it was not under the sofa and did not look there. Good thing the dog thought to look under there yesterday! I was just about to buy another.