Choconnect turned out to be a genuinely pleasant surprise for a couple of us at The Meeple Guild table, even if it also feels like the sort of game that may struggle to find exactly the right audience.
At first glance, the game falls into the familiar “connect pieces in a row to win” category, similar to games like Pente. But while Pente is a pure abstract strategy game built around perfect information and open placement, Choconnect takes a very different approach.
Designed by Sandro Blasich, the game introduces randomness through a cloth bag filled with tiles. On each turn, players blindly draw a tile and slide it onto the 6×6 board from one of the edges. Even if spaces are occupied, tiles continue pushing everything else in that row or column one space further along.
That simple mechanic changes the entire feel of the game.
The blind draw adds a healthy amount of luck, which hardcore abstract strategy fans may not appreciate. However, it also creates tension because players must constantly adapt to changing situations rather than relying solely on long-term planning.
Adding another interesting wrinkle are the three different tile types. One type requires only three in a row to win; another requires four; and the final type requires five connected tiles. Because of those shifting victory conditions, every draw from the bag can suddenly change the state of the game, forcing players to stay alert.
While Choconnect feels strongest as a two-player experience, it also supports three and four players. Multiplayer games become far less strategic and far more reactive, with long-term planning often disappearing completely in the chaos. That unpredictability can either be entertaining or frustrating, depending on the group.
The multiplayer scoring system does help add some extra variety, but overall, the game definitely leans toward a lighter, more casual experience rather than a deeply competitive abstract strategy title.
Production-wise, the included mousepad-style board is a nice touch, though the pieces themselves would probably feel more satisfying if they were wooden instead of plastic. Still, the game is quick to teach, easy to play over coffee, and approachable enough that even non-gamers could enjoy a few rounds.
Published by Snovid Games, Choconnect is an accessible little puzzle game that interestingly blends strategy and unpredictability.
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.
Not a new concept but well-executed
At first glance, the game falls into the familiar “connect pieces in a row to win” category, similar to games like Pente. But while Pente is a pure abstract strategy game built around perfect information and open placement, Choconnect takes a very different approach.
Designed by Sandro Blasich, the game introduces randomness through a cloth bag filled with tiles. On each turn, players blindly draw a tile and slide it onto the 6×6 board from one of the edges. Even if spaces are occupied, tiles continue pushing everything else in that row or column one space further along.
That simple mechanic changes the entire feel of the game.
The blind draw adds a healthy amount of luck, which hardcore abstract strategy fans may not appreciate. However, it also creates tension because players must constantly adapt to changing situations rather than relying solely on long-term planning.
Adding another interesting wrinkle are the three different tile types. One type requires only three in a row to win; another requires four; and the final type requires five connected tiles. Because of those shifting victory conditions, every draw from the bag can suddenly change the state of the game, forcing players to stay alert.
While Choconnect feels strongest as a two-player experience, it also supports three and four players. Multiplayer games become far less strategic and far more reactive, with long-term planning often disappearing completely in the chaos. That unpredictability can either be entertaining or frustrating, depending on the group.
The multiplayer scoring system does help add some extra variety, but overall, the game definitely leans toward a lighter, more casual experience rather than a deeply competitive abstract strategy title.
Production-wise, the included mousepad-style board is a nice touch, though the pieces themselves would probably feel more satisfying if they were wooden instead of plastic. Still, the game is quick to teach, easy to play over coffee, and approachable enough that even non-gamers could enjoy a few rounds.
Published by Snovid Games, Choconnect is an accessible little puzzle game that interestingly blends strategy and unpredictability.
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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