Push Fight isn’t a new game, but its latest edition is welcome news for fans of abstract strategy games.
Originally released in 2008 by designer Brett Picotte, Push Fight has built a loyal following over the years. It’s one of those games that, once people try it, tends to stick with them. The rules are simple, games are quick, and there’s just enough strategy to keep you thinking without becoming mentally exhausting.
Unfortunately, Picotte eventually announced he was ending self-production of the game, and whenever a title goes out of print there’s always the risk it will quietly disappear.
Thankfully, that hasn’t happened.
Woodideas, based in Ukraine, has added Push Fight to its impressive catalog of handcrafted wooden games. The company offers two editions: a premium walnut version and a more affordable magnetic version, which is the one that made its way to The Meeple Guild’s table.
The craftsmanship is excellent. The wooden pieces feel great in hand, with felted bottoms that neatly conceal the embedded magnets. The board is also felt-lined underneath, giving it an attractive, finished appearance while hiding the magnetic elements.
To be honest, I’m not entirely convinced the magnets are necessary. When you’re pushing a line of three or more pieces, they create a little more resistance than I’d like. It’s a minor complaint, though, and certainly not something that changes my opinion of the game.
The biggest advantage of this edition is its size.
Picotte’s original version is wonderfully chunky and satisfying to play, but it’s also fairly large. It’s not the easiest game to toss into a backpack or carry to a coffee shop. Woodideas has shrunk the footprint considerably, creating a version that’s much easier to transport while still retaining the feel of the original.
That portability really suits Push Fight because this is exactly the kind of game you want to play over coffee with a friend. A single match takes only about five minutes, making it perfect for a best-of-seven showdown while enjoying a drink.
Gameplay is refreshingly straightforward. On your turn, you move up to two of your pieces before making one mandatory push. That final push is where everything happens. The objective is simple: be the first player to push one of your opponent’s pieces off the edge of the board.
It’s a wonderfully physical concept that gives every game the feel of a miniature sumo wrestling match. Players circle for position, looking for just the right opening before delivering the decisive shove. While the strategic depth isn’t as great as some classic abstract games, the fast pace and constant tension make it incredibly addictive.
Woodideas’ magnetic edition is a beautifully produced version of an already excellent game. While I still have a soft spot for Picotte’s original oversized edition, this more compact release is likely to see more table time simply because it’s so easy to take anywhere.
Sometimes the best games are the ones you can pull out at a moment’s notice, and Push Fight continues to prove that nearly two decades after its original release.
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.
Push Fight Feels a Bit Like a Sumo Match
Originally released in 2008 by designer Brett Picotte, Push Fight has built a loyal following over the years. It’s one of those games that, once people try it, tends to stick with them. The rules are simple, games are quick, and there’s just enough strategy to keep you thinking without becoming mentally exhausting.
Unfortunately, Picotte eventually announced he was ending self-production of the game, and whenever a title goes out of print there’s always the risk it will quietly disappear.
Thankfully, that hasn’t happened.
Woodideas, based in Ukraine, has added Push Fight to its impressive catalog of handcrafted wooden games. The company offers two editions: a premium walnut version and a more affordable magnetic version, which is the one that made its way to The Meeple Guild’s table.
The craftsmanship is excellent. The wooden pieces feel great in hand, with felted bottoms that neatly conceal the embedded magnets. The board is also felt-lined underneath, giving it an attractive, finished appearance while hiding the magnetic elements.
To be honest, I’m not entirely convinced the magnets are necessary. When you’re pushing a line of three or more pieces, they create a little more resistance than I’d like. It’s a minor complaint, though, and certainly not something that changes my opinion of the game.
The biggest advantage of this edition is its size.
Picotte’s original version is wonderfully chunky and satisfying to play, but it’s also fairly large. It’s not the easiest game to toss into a backpack or carry to a coffee shop. Woodideas has shrunk the footprint considerably, creating a version that’s much easier to transport while still retaining the feel of the original.
That portability really suits Push Fight because this is exactly the kind of game you want to play over coffee with a friend. A single match takes only about five minutes, making it perfect for a best-of-seven showdown while enjoying a drink.
Gameplay is refreshingly straightforward. On your turn, you move up to two of your pieces before making one mandatory push. That final push is where everything happens. The objective is simple: be the first player to push one of your opponent’s pieces off the edge of the board.
It’s a wonderfully physical concept that gives every game the feel of a miniature sumo wrestling match. Players circle for position, looking for just the right opening before delivering the decisive shove. While the strategic depth isn’t as great as some classic abstract games, the fast pace and constant tension make it incredibly addictive.
Woodideas’ magnetic edition is a beautifully produced version of an already excellent game. While I still have a soft spot for Picotte’s original oversized edition, this more compact release is likely to see more table time simply because it’s so easy to take anywhere.
Sometimes the best games are the ones you can pull out at a moment’s notice, and Push Fight continues to prove that nearly two decades after its original release.
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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