When Das Wurmt arrived, it was one of those games that The Meeple Guild wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from.
The game, from designer Robert Brouwer, artist Doris Matthäus, and publisher Zoch Verlag (www.zoch-verlag.com), comes in a small box, and the artwork immediately suggests something aimed at children. However, that’s not exactly the case.
This one falls neatly into the “family game” niche — perfect for when the in-laws or neighbors visit. It’s not exclusively for younger players, though kids with basic math skills can certainly join in.
The theme is delightfully odd: Das Wurmt is a card game about worms — yes, you read that right. Worms start with a tail on the table, and players add to them each turn. As “segments” are added, you’re hoping to create a worm with a total value of 10, 11, or 12 based on the cards in play. Hitting that sweet spot lets you score a card.
But if your worm grows “too long,” or reaches a value of 13 or more, you’ll score negative points instead. Along the way, a few “special” cards allow you to influence the game — hopefully to your advantage.
Each turn, one card in the worm is revealed, so remembering what you’ve placed can be crucial. You’ll want to anticipate what a revealed card will do to the total value, since the actual “growth” only becomes visible when the next head is played and the previous one is turned over.
The game is super simple, fast, and surprisingly fun — far more than we anticipated when it first hit the table.
Card games are generally recommended because their low cost makes them worth an evening of play, much like going to a movie. Not every movie is great for the ticket price, and not every card game is a hit — but with Das Wurmt, you can buy with confidence. There’s plenty of fun packed into this little box of worms.
About Author
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
‘Building’ a worm should not be this much fun!
The game, from designer Robert Brouwer, artist Doris Matthäus, and publisher Zoch Verlag (www.zoch-verlag.com), comes in a small box, and the artwork immediately suggests something aimed at children. However, that’s not exactly the case.
This one falls neatly into the “family game” niche — perfect for when the in-laws or neighbors visit. It’s not exclusively for younger players, though kids with basic math skills can certainly join in.
The theme is delightfully odd: Das Wurmt is a card game about worms — yes, you read that right. Worms start with a tail on the table, and players add to them each turn. As “segments” are added, you’re hoping to create a worm with a total value of 10, 11, or 12 based on the cards in play. Hitting that sweet spot lets you score a card.
But if your worm grows “too long,” or reaches a value of 13 or more, you’ll score negative points instead. Along the way, a few “special” cards allow you to influence the game — hopefully to your advantage.
Each turn, one card in the worm is revealed, so remembering what you’ve placed can be crucial. You’ll want to anticipate what a revealed card will do to the total value, since the actual “growth” only becomes visible when the next head is played and the previous one is turned over.
The game is super simple, fast, and surprisingly fun — far more than we anticipated when it first hit the table.
Card games are generally recommended because their low cost makes them worth an evening of play, much like going to a movie. Not every movie is great for the ticket price, and not every card game is a hit — but with Das Wurmt, you can buy with confidence. There’s plenty of fun packed into this little box of worms.
About Author
Calvin Daniels
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
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