There are a number of games that involve three-dimensional shapes and blocks to really get the mental gears moving. I have played quite a few different types but have found that one game in particular really sets the bar for these type of games. Today we are going to take a look at the newest version of that game and see how it “stacks up” to the competition!
Ubongo 3D is designed by Grzegorz Rejchtman and plays 1-4 players. It is published by Kosmos Games. It plays in 15-30 mins.
Overview
In Ubongo 3D players race against time and each other to place pieces on to a card that match the shapes they are assigned to use. This time the pieces are 3D and can be a challenge to get on the board. Players collect gems based on how they do and after 9 rounds a winner is determined!
Gameplay:
The game begins with each player taking a set of the 3D shapes and nine of the puzzle cards of the level of difficulty decided on. From the gem bag, remove nine each of the blue and brown gems and line them on the table. This is the round count down and the reward for the first and second place finishers of the puzzle.
Play begins with a roll of the dice to determine which of the shapes you will use to build and fill the spaces on your puzzle card. Like other Ubongo games you cannot overlap come off the board with your pieces and must make them all fit. Here in the 3D edition players must make the pieces fit in no more than 2 levels of height.
When you finish a card you shout UBONGO! and then player have until time runs out on the sand timer to also finish. Any player who finishes first or second gets the blue or brown gem and then all players who finish draw a gem from the bag. This continues for 9 rounds and then a winner is named based on the total amount of points scored from the gems acquired.
Impressions:
This is one of many fun versions of Ubongo that you can find out in the market currently from Kosmos. Our family has played almost all of them and when Ubongo 3D hit the table we were very excited to see how it would work for us since a lot of the other ones are often go-to family night games for us. I did enjoy the game and found it as challenging as the other versions I have played if not even more difficult then the extreme edition.
3D Ubongo is challenging in its own way. You are now working off the table and card in a 3D space which really changes the difficulty of this one. It is similar to the game Mental Blocks where players are working to make these three dimensional structures but in a cooperative way for that game.
So if you enjoy games that are spatial puzzles this one is for you. Similar titles would be the aforementioned Mental Blocks and NMBR 9 that bring some of the same type of gameplay. Make sure to bring this one to your next family game night for a fun time for the whole crew!
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