Who cheated?
This game is a fun variation on the well-known theme of the game Clue, except that you have to find out who cheated at the all-purpose Our Lady of Gossip. As in the traditional game, it is a question of discovering the culprit, in what course he committed the unthinkable and in what way. Quebec creation, however, stands out in two very original ways: first, we can add talent cards, which confer certain advantages to our deduction efforts, but the game is also played without a board, without the possibility of taking notes, with our only cards in hand. You must therefore stay focused and keep in mind the cards that have changed hands – each player takes turns asking another if they hold a particular card, in which case that card comes back to them. “A good game that drags along well, perfect for playing on vacation, at a restaurant or at the beach,” notes our mother tester.
Pierre-Marc Durivage, The Press
From 3 to 5 players aged 7 and over. Duration: 15 to 25 minutes. Price: $20.
Terraforming Mars: the dice game
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
The Terraforming Mars dice game is a variation that is easier to learn than the original game.
The original version of Terraforming Mars is one of the great successes of the last 10 years in the teeming world of board games. The problem: it is aimed at very seasoned players, familiar with complicated rules. However, a new game, set in the same Martian universe imagined by Jacob Fryxelius, has recently been released. Its mechanics revolve around dice rolls, which allow you to amass the resources necessary to make the planet Mars habitable (and in doing so, win the game). The rules are simpler, the quantity of material to manage is less (even if the box contains no less than 60 special dice!). Above all, the games are much shorter (it took at least two hours per game with the base game!). Chance, however, plays a greater role, even if this title remains highly strategic. A nice addition to the Terraforming Mars range, which will please even connoisseurs.
Stéphanie Morin, The Press
From 1 to 4 players aged 14 and over. Duration: 45 minutes. Price: $68.
Swarm! mini
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
The Grouille board game! mini
“Mini” variant of the Grouille! quiz game, imagined by Daniel Brouillette, popular author of the Bine children’s book series. It specifically addresses its original target audience with Grouille’s version! Mini, which targets ages 8 to 12. The questions are simple, but there are a few pitfalls here and there. Also, as it is about being the first to get rid of all your questionnaire cards, you can easily add players of all ages by adjusting the number of cards with which you start the game. Oh yes, did we tell you that it was about shouting our response as quickly and loudly as possible? Some of our testers were also concerned about the cacophonous risks when playing with more than six players, a situation that we have not yet verified. “Nice variety of questions, it allows you to answer questions even if you are less good in certain categories,” nevertheless affirms our teenage tester.
Pierre-Marc Durivage, The Press
From 3 to 10 players aged 8 and over. Duration: 15 minutes. Price: $30.
Knarr
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
The Knarr board game
Knarr is the Norse word for the smaller ships that were used for trade by the Vikings. Each player therefore takes the helm of one of these agile ships to extend their commercial influence, either in established ports (the lands of exchange), or by exploring new destinations (the lands of influence). No matter what choice you make, you must recruit your crew; this allows you to increase your gains, which will then translate into opportunities for trade and exploration. The game mechanics are simple, but the combinations are numerous, as are the ways to score points. Moreover, even if our youngest had not been very attentive when explaining the rules, he found himself at the top of a shortened first game. In short, a well-designed game, beautiful to the eye and with a high degree of replayability, not to mention that it is also possible to add the artifact effect to spice up the game a little more.
2 players aged 10 and over. Duration: 20 minutes. Price: $25
Pierre-Marc Durivage, The Press
The pro’s suggestion: Jekyll vs. Hyde
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Justin Bazoge, from La Grocerie, often suggests this game designed for two people.
Recently, Justin Bazoge has been offering board game evenings from Thursday to Saturday in his restaurant on Laurier Street East, La Grocerie (which will soon take the name Guyligan). One of the games he often suggests to couples or players who come to spend the evening in tandem: Jekyll vs Hyde. “It’s a title for fairly advanced players who are familiar with the principle of trick games, a bit like crib or 500 cards. In this case, however, there is an asymmetrical mechanic that is magnificent. Whoever plays Hyde seeks to create chaos in the number of tricks each person picks up. He wants there to be as big a gap as possible. Jekyll wants to achieve a balance. The theme well represents these two characters from Stevenson’s novel! It’s a very tense game that can end in just one turn if you’re not careful! »
2 players aged 10 and over. Duration: 20 minutes. Price: $25
Stéphanie Morin, The Press