Games to discover for spring break

Six board games to try – some tougher – for a playful break.

Ark Nova

From the outset, a confession: since this game made its appearance in the house, the management of domestic priorities has become a problem. To hell with the dishes, even the supper! We would spend our evenings seated in front of the huge tray racking our brains. In this beefy game (the first parts can stretch over three hours), players must manage a zoo and try to make it as attractive as possible for visitors, while ensuring the well-being of residents. The game mechanics aren’t overly complicated, but the amount of decisions you have to make (and especially the order in which you make them) has a big effect on the outcome. A perfect title for seasoned players who want to take advantage of the holiday to embark on a new adventure. Be careful, however: a certain dependence is to be expected.

Stephanie Morin, The Press

Top Ten – Quebec Edition

A holiday favorite in the tester clan, so it will be in our bags again during spring break. Each player is randomly given a card with a number from 1 to 10; according to the statement made each turn by the Cap’ten’, each player will have to invent an answer, from the best (1) to the worst (10). We can say it, mime it, shout it, we can gesticulate, run or walk on our hands if it’s relevant! As this is a collaborative game, we have to think carefully about our answers in order to properly guide the Cap’ten, whose objective is to place the answers in the correct order. Each wrong answer sees our unicorns turn into little poops. It is of course the catastrophy if we have too many poops. If you have the chance to play with a well trained group, it’s a guaranteed success!

Pierre-Marc Durivage, The Press

Catan – At the dawn of humanity

For many people (including the author of these lines), the discovery of modern board games was made thanks to the famous Settlers of Catan. Since its release in 1995, several extensions and derivatives have emerged. One of its derivative games (released more than 20 years ago) was set in prehistory and had never been published in French. Here it is, in a refreshed version, moreover. To win, players must amass resources to set up camp on five continents, as well as hunt massive beasts and upgrade their skills. This game is a little more complex than its illustrious predecessor, without deviating too far from it. Dice rolls remain at the heart of the mechanics, but the ways to earn points are more diversified here. The parts are also a bit longer. In short, a beautiful rereading of a classic!

Stephanie Morin, The Press

Taxi

Taxi is a very popular Quebec game whose look has recently been completely redesigned and is now entirely made in Quebec. So simple it can be played by toddlers, yet fun for the whole family. Here we play the role of a taxi driver who has to drive his customers to the four corners of the city, despite the blocked streets, one-way streets and other orange cones (no kidding!) placed in our way by our opponents. The number of destinations – beautifully illustrated – determines the length of the game – we recommend doing two or three, we got to six! “Sometimes it’s an observation game, because you can analyze how your opponent reacts when they draw their destination cards,” our preteen tester points out. You can sometimes know where he has to go! »

Pierre-Marc Durivage, The Press

The snapshot of the century

There are board games that delight us as soon as we open the box, if only by the quantity and quality of the material. This is the case here, since the box overflows with small cardboard characters. In this memory and deduction game, you have to place these characters around a table for a photo shoot. The problem: everyone has their own requirements! To be seated next to X or Y, to stand more or less far from the table, to have your face hidden… We must therefore remember everyone’s requests (even presume them in certain cases, since not all the clues are revealed) to achieve the shot that meets the greatest number. A well-crafted and very ingenious game in its mechanics. One downside, however: you have to use a smart phone to immortalize the final photos. It’s a bit annoying… (so much so that we decided to bend the rules a bit to avoid it!)

Stephanie Morin, The Press

Lucky Numbers

Lucky Numbers is a kind of original cross between bingo and sudoku, with a hint of strategy to boot. Each player has their own small field of clover, a board on which they place the randomly drawn numbered pieces in ascending order, both in columns and in rows. When it is impossible to do so, you can exchange a piece for one already placed in your field. Be careful though; the latter then becomes available to other players, who can thus use it in the hope of refilling their card – that is the aim of the game. says our tester mom. Often, grandparents like to play cards while young people are less used to it, so this game allows everyone to gather around the table. »

Pierre-Marc Durivage, The Press