Major Fun Thinking Award
DeepFUN.com
Bernie DeKoven
August 2005
USA |
 |
Columns - a game
of strategic stacking
Columns is another beautifully crafted game "PIN" from
Out-of-the-Box's Masterpiece collection. The two-player "stacking
game" involves building on a matrix of 3x4 wooden pins.
Each player has a collection of wooden pieces: "L"-shaped,
rectangular and square "blockers" and disk-shaped "roundels." There
are 12 roundels, and they are the only pieces that can score,
and they only score when they are placed on top of a column.
Columns are built in five layers. A roundel can not be placed
on top of an opponent's blocker.
Rule-wise, that's pretty much it. Well, you also can't put
two of the same kind of blockers on top of each other. And
you can't leave any gaps. Other than that, the game is one
of careful anticipation as you try to build a foundation
that will be topped by your roundels and not your opponent's.
At first, it's almost impossible to understand the implications
of the different kinds of pieces. You place something in
the matrix. You build. You are surprised. As you play repeatedly
you get a growing appreciation for the strategic value of
each different piece. If you are evenly matched, the subtleties
continue to reveal themselves game after game. And you still
get surprised.
For people who like 3-D puzzles and games of strategy, Major
FUN, in deed.
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