Ingenious

Customer Reviews

If you like Blokus you will like this game....Always a hit with both new and experienced gamers....a definate must for any collection Review by Austen

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I love this game. In terms of abstract puzzle style games it isn't too hard core to put off new gamers or average players. It is simple to explain and easy to play. The scoring at first can take some people time to figure out but this is one of those games that as you play it you get it.

I have played it with 2, 3, and 4 players and have found it plays well with all numbers. Every game is different and so it has a lot of playability. So far everyone that I have introduced this game to has LOVED it and has either gone out and bought a copy or has it on their wish list. I think that says a lot about this game.

I think what is unique about this game is that you can't focus on just going after one colour as it is your lowest marker that scores. This generally leads to runs on certain colours as usually there are a few colours that become harder and harder to get as the game goes on.

The only negative about the game is that the pieces sit loose on top of the board. So if you have friends with big fingers or a little clumsy you may find yourself constantly fixing the board.

If you are sitting on the fence about this game it is time to get off it and buy it as you won't regret it. (Posted on 11/3/09)

Another good game for abstract game fans Review by Jasmine

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I suppose Blokus and Ingenious get compared to one another quite often. They are similar in that they are four player abstract games and there are points and a blocking strategy at play. Blokus is a lot easier to learn and play and you won't feel the need to tape down all your pieces.

On the other hand, the pieces for Ingenious are a lot nicer and you won't be losing them as easily. As well, Ingenious plays fantastically well as a solo and couples game as well as the full-fledged four player game. It also has great adaptability for three players and for team play.

It is hard for me to pick one game over the other as it can depend on my mood. Blokus is a bit more straightforward while Ingenious requires a bit of number crunching. Still, I'm happy to have both games in my collection and would recommend both to anyone. (Posted on 12/17/08)

Like Scrabble and Dominos put together Review by Murray

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I was very happy to recently acquire this game at a used board game sale. I already owned Blokus, which is a game somewhat similar to Ingenious, so I was hesitant to pay the full price for the game, but given the opportunity to acquire it for half the normal price, I deigned.

Ingenious is a tile laying game, very much like Dominos. Players first draw six tiles blind from a bag. Each tile has two symbols on it and are shaped like two hexagons placed side by side. Play then goes around the table as each player places one piece. They score points for every symbol they line up in a row. There are six symbols and each player score track has the players keeping track of their score for each symbol. The only score that matters to the player is the lowest one on their own track, as that is their score at the end of the game. However, if the player is able to move the score for a symbol to the end on their track, then they can shout "Ingenious!" and play another piece.

The scoring is a bit tricky to figure out at first. However, the rules (which is just a single double-sided page) has plenty of excellent examples that cover every possible scoring outcome. The game is especially notable for its multi-player rules. The playing area on the board itself varies depending on the number of players, which makes the game exciting no matter how many people are playing. As well, there is a solitaire variant of the rules for people who like to hone their skills.

Like all Fantasy Flight games, the components of Ingenious are excellent. The pieces come with a black pull-string bag that can be used for shuffling and blind draws. The board is well-made and strong and the pieces themselves are made of very durable plastic. The score tracks are thick cardboard and small wooden cubes are used to keep score, which can be annoying if people bump the table often. I would have preferred a slide-track instead. There are racks that are included with the game for players to keep their pieces on, like in Scrabble. However, the rack is just barely large enough to keep the hand of six and you'll often find that the pieces will fall off, especially if there are table bumpers in your group. I would suggest ignoring the racks and keeping your pieces face-down in front of you instead.

Overall, the game is really fun. I always like bringing it out for new people. It is very easy to learn and play and there is enough strategy involved to keep the game interesting for a long time without making it daunting for new players. Highly recommended. (Posted on 12/9/08)