4-3-2017 - Qwirkle (2006) - Review

Ever since we saw this game on tabletop we have gone back and forth on if we should buy it or if it is gong to get played or not. I was able to pick up a copy at a local thrift shop.... and it sat on the shelf.... for a long long time....until (echo effect) now now now.

The abstract game of Qwirkle consists of 108 wooden blocks with six different shapes in six different colors. There is no board, players simply use an available flat surface.
Players begin the game with six blocks. The start player places blocks of a single matching attribute (color or shape but not both) on the table. Thereafter, a player adds blocks adjacent to at least one previously played block. The blocks must all be played in a line and match, without duplicates, either the color or shape of the previous block.Players score one point for each block played plus all blocks adjacent. It is possible for a block to score in more than one direction. If a player completes a line containing all six shapes or colors, an additional six points are scored. The player then refills his hand to six blocks.The game ends when the draw bag is depleted and one player plays all of his remaining blocks, earning a six point bonus. The player with the high score wins.

The game itself plays at a casual pace, even with my ultra competitive son. Tyler took the lead early and made a big play as he said "Always the circle for Qwirkle." as he put the circle piece down. He has the lead on me for a little while until i inched my way back. I was ahead 62-51 and held onto the lead for a while until Tyler noticed i lined him up for what he called "A Perfect Perfect" which was a double Qwirkle. He regained the lead 119-125.  A couple more lead changes and it was back and forth to the point where with only two turns to go we were tied at 183! In the couple turns i was able to pull ahead and take the game 194-188.

Board Game Geek Rating: 6.8




Dad:
"As a parent and a gamer this had the one element that i always look for, close games. there are a lot of games out there that i have played (especially with 2 people) where when someone gets ahead it is almost impossible to catch them. I never felt that way in this game. I always felt like either Ty could catch me or i could catch him and to me that's a hallmark of a good game."
7.5/10

Tyler:
"Very easy to learn, but not my kind of game."
6/10