When you sit down at the game table as often as we do to crack the cellophane on a new game, you learn that you never know just what might be inside.
Rhombus was one of those small-box offerings that we opened with no real expectations.
A read of the rules admittedly didn’t seem to suggest it would be a game that would grab you. It’s a card-layer game where you get three cards in hand, of which you lay two onto the table, connected to the ever-growing community tableau.
The cards are printed with geometric shapes in several colors, and the challenge is to play these cards to the table to form diamond shapes, or rhombuses. Forming these shapes in different sizes and color combinations scores points, and it’s possible to form multiple rhombuses with a single card placement.
The reaction to this one was an interesting evolution of sorts.
Partway through the first game, one of the Meeple Guilders commented that it wasn’t catching his interest at all.
And, frankly, I’m not sure any of us were particularly enthusiastic initially.
But Rhombus proved to be a sneaky little experience.
As the game moved along, it became apparent that while Rhombus is what most would tag a “filler” game, it comes with a bit more to it. This one is more “thinky” as you consider card placement, and you find yourself studying what others place with some interest, particularly in terms of what opportunities they might leave you.
Playing with three, Rhombus took about 30 minutes, so it is sort of at the upper end of what we think of as a “filler” game. That was actually pleasing because of the extended game experience.
By the time game two was finished, we had reached a consensus that Rhombus was, in fact, a fine filler, and better than most, it turned out. We just needed a tick of time to appreciate it fully.
The one slight negative with Rhombus is that it is not a coffeehouse filler. This one takes up a good chunk of table space by the time all the cards are played, so it requires some room.
Rhombus is by prolific designer David McCord. The Meeple Guild has reviewed many of his games, and this one surprised us as one of his best offerings.
It is published by New Venture Games and is well worth a look. Check it out at www.newventuregames.com.
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.
So Much Fun Building Diamonds
Rhombus was one of those small-box offerings that we opened with no real expectations.
A read of the rules admittedly didn’t seem to suggest it would be a game that would grab you. It’s a card-layer game where you get three cards in hand, of which you lay two onto the table, connected to the ever-growing community tableau.
The cards are printed with geometric shapes in several colors, and the challenge is to play these cards to the table to form diamond shapes, or rhombuses. Forming these shapes in different sizes and color combinations scores points, and it’s possible to form multiple rhombuses with a single card placement.
The reaction to this one was an interesting evolution of sorts.
Partway through the first game, one of the Meeple Guilders commented that it wasn’t catching his interest at all.
And, frankly, I’m not sure any of us were particularly enthusiastic initially.
But Rhombus proved to be a sneaky little experience.
As the game moved along, it became apparent that while Rhombus is what most would tag a “filler” game, it comes with a bit more to it. This one is more “thinky” as you consider card placement, and you find yourself studying what others place with some interest, particularly in terms of what opportunities they might leave you.
Playing with three, Rhombus took about 30 minutes, so it is sort of at the upper end of what we think of as a “filler” game. That was actually pleasing because of the extended game experience.
By the time game two was finished, we had reached a consensus that Rhombus was, in fact, a fine filler, and better than most, it turned out. We just needed a tick of time to appreciate it fully.
The one slight negative with Rhombus is that it is not a coffeehouse filler. This one takes up a good chunk of table space by the time all the cards are played, so it requires some room.
Rhombus is by prolific designer David McCord. The Meeple Guild has reviewed many of his games, and this one surprised us as one of his best offerings.
It is published by New Venture Games and is well worth a look. Check it out at www.newventuregames.com.
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.
See author's posts