Simply Ingenious #Review & #Giveaway

I do like games that do not take up a lot of room. Not only does this mean that I can easily store more in my house, but it makes them easier to take away from the home too; whether this is for a trip to Nan’s, a long ferry ride, or a game to take on holiday. Simply ingenious (available from Esdevium Games) is a fast game of risk taking, is another one of those travel friendly compact games. It consists of 126 tiles and a rule summary in a small box. There are six differently coloured symbols on the tiles (twenty-one of each kind), with the winner being the first player to collect 7 tiles in all six different symbols/colours (or only 5 tiles if there are four players).

As the title suggests this game is “Simply ingenious,” with the symbols and scoring system being like Ingenious (which also has a travel edition as well as the original). My 6 year old and 10 year old found the game simple enough to set out and play by themselves with no adult intervention. Yet it is a taxing enough game to be fun for all ages (recommended from 8-99.  The game is suggested to last around 20 minutes, meaning it is not a really quick game (such as Jungle Speed Safari) but not a very long game (such as possibly Discworld).

simply ingenious review

Simply place all the tiles face down in the middle of where you are playing. Then select 3 tiles each and reveal them. There must always be 3 tiles in the middle of the “pool” until this is no longer possible. The youngest player goes first and turns over another tile.

No Match

If the tile the player turns over is not the same as any of the other tiles in the middle, they simply place it into the middle with the rest. This is the end of their turn.

simply ingenious review

A Match

If the tile the player has turned over matches one or more of the 3 tiles already revealed (in the centre) they have “won” that tile (and`bank’ all the tiles of that colour/symbol). The player can then decide whether to stop there and finish their go, or they can turn another to see if they have another match. If on the next turn there is not a match then they lose all the tiles they have turned over and that is the end of their turn.

simply ingenious review

Collision

If a player continues to risk turning over more tiles, and they turn over two tiles with the same symbol/colour then this is  collision and they lose all the tiles that they have turned over (in the `holding’).

simply ingenious review

Ingenious/Bonus Play

If you have seven (or five with a 4 player game) of the same tile (symbol/colour) in your ‘banked’ tiles then shout “ingenious” then take another turn. Tiles that are in excess of the number needed for that symbol/colour return to the middle. This can only happen once per colour/symbol.

simply ingenious review

Single Weakest Colour

If the colour tile you have the least of in your banked area is in the middle, then you can call the “weakest colour” and take that instead of turning over a tile. This is the end of your go. You MUST have a “weakest colour” to utilise this option.

simply ingenious review

This game was enjoyed by my family. It is easy to adapt and simplify further for those players younger than eight years old.

We enjoyed this game so much so that Esdevium Games have agreed to also  give one to a lucky reader!

UK Only

Ends 24/3/2014 0:00am GMT

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Family Fever
I received a free copy of Simply Ingenious from Esdevium Games in order to review it, all words and opinions are my own.

77 thoughts on “Simply Ingenious #Review & #Giveaway”

  1. It’s a great game for all the family. Also you could make it even harder once everyone has got a grip of the moves by only allowing a certain number of seconds to make your move.

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  2. Simply that it is Ingenious, a new game which gets the mind working. Aiming to win matches, yet no loose what is already banked. Fun game.

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  3. As a family we enjoy trying new board games especially during the cold weather, where we can hibernate in front of the fire.

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  4. I like it because it can be enjoyed by all family members. I think simplicity is the key to the success of this game and it’s nice to see interesting change from all the screens and electronics our children are bombarded these days

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  5. This looks like the sort of game that’s hard to master but easy to get addicted to… Just my sort of thing 🙂

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  6. Portability is not a problem
    When we go on holiday
    life without a computer won’t matter
    The boys will enjoy the stay

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  7. this would be ideal when I go away with my grandchildren as easily packed into my large handbag to play on the train

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  8. I’ve never seen it before but it looks fab, my kids love any new game so sure they would love to give this one a go x

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  9. One of my sons loves to make line, another lover counting, another loves to follow and learn this would be perfect for them .. great game

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  10. Sounds like good fun, would keep our brains ticking over and stop boredom. Its not big and bulky. Thumbs up all round

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  11. I love the fact that this game seems totally different to any other game I have seen on the market. It’s great that it’s portable, making it perfect for taking with us on holidays too

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  12. I think it is good because it will take a bit of time to understand it and also to learn all the tricks – that makes is far more interesting and enjoyable in the end.

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  13. I like that it is a fairly simple concept but one that will be addictive and keep my stepsons busy when they come over to stay.

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