Without a doubt, there are far too many “filler” games out there.
As Guilder Adam recently pointed out, players need to have an attention span that extends beyond 20 minutes. But sometimes you simply play what is available, and that brings us to Bandido Alcatraz (10th Anniversary Edition) from designer Martin Nedergaard Andersen and publisher Helvetiq (distributed in Canada through Ilo307).
This is certainly a filler game. The box suggests a 15-minute play time, which naturally leads to the reviewer’s question: is it actually a good filler option?
The short answer is yes.
This small-box game was far more fun than expected.
Bandido Alcatraz is a cooperative game for one to four players. While many modern games include solo modes, those additions can sometimes feel like they were simply attached as an afterthought. Here, the solo rules make sense, and the experience plays smoothly. It becomes almost a puzzle challenge, with results that are easy to track and compare from one play to the next.
As a cooperative game, players work together to build a maze of tunnels. Yes, this is a tile-laying game, but the goal is shared: create the right network of tunnels while preventing the escape route from remaining open.
Players place tunnels and collect equipment along the way. Some tiles introduce water threats that endanger the tunnel system, meaning another player must respond on a future turn by covering the danger with a new tile.
The ultimate goal is to create dead ends while leaving only a single exit route.
Complete that objective and you win.
That said, victories do not come easily. Players need to make smart decisions, work together, and rely on a healthy amount of luck.
The first night Bandido Alcatraz reached The Meeple Guild table, we played five games and won only once. We have never really determined the ideal win percentage for cooperative games, but a 20 percent success rate feels pretty close to what many co-op games aim for.
What helps Bandido Alcatraz stand out is how quickly it plays and how well it works at every player count. It is easy to store, easy to transport, and simple to teach.
This is a neat little game that delivers more enjoyment than its size suggests and is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a quick cooperative experience.
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.
Small Package Co-operative Game Packs Its Share of Fun
As Guilder Adam recently pointed out, players need to have an attention span that extends beyond 20 minutes. But sometimes you simply play what is available, and that brings us to Bandido Alcatraz (10th Anniversary Edition) from designer Martin Nedergaard Andersen and publisher Helvetiq (distributed in Canada through Ilo307).
This is certainly a filler game. The box suggests a 15-minute play time, which naturally leads to the reviewer’s question: is it actually a good filler option?
The short answer is yes.
This small-box game was far more fun than expected.
Bandido Alcatraz is a cooperative game for one to four players. While many modern games include solo modes, those additions can sometimes feel like they were simply attached as an afterthought. Here, the solo rules make sense, and the experience plays smoothly. It becomes almost a puzzle challenge, with results that are easy to track and compare from one play to the next.
As a cooperative game, players work together to build a maze of tunnels. Yes, this is a tile-laying game, but the goal is shared: create the right network of tunnels while preventing the escape route from remaining open.
Players place tunnels and collect equipment along the way. Some tiles introduce water threats that endanger the tunnel system, meaning another player must respond on a future turn by covering the danger with a new tile.
The ultimate goal is to create dead ends while leaving only a single exit route.
Complete that objective and you win.
That said, victories do not come easily. Players need to make smart decisions, work together, and rely on a healthy amount of luck.
The first night Bandido Alcatraz reached The Meeple Guild table, we played five games and won only once. We have never really determined the ideal win percentage for cooperative games, but a 20 percent success rate feels pretty close to what many co-op games aim for.
What helps Bandido Alcatraz stand out is how quickly it plays and how well it works at every player count. It is easy to store, easy to transport, and simple to teach.
This is a neat little game that delivers more enjoyment than its size suggests and is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a quick cooperative experience.
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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