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 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.
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.
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’).
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.
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.
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
I like the fact that it is easily portable,we always take games on holiday with us.
I like the fact that we can all play what ever the kids ages
Looks like a fun game that my kids would like! I’ll have to see if it’s available in the US!
I love that its portable so we can take it on holiday – its also great that it looks fun for all ages!
I love it’s educational aspects of this games and the colours and shapes! Looks great fun!
It’s looks a versatile game for all ages but you could make it as easy or as hard as you want.
Fun and educational game for all ages which you can carry around easily
I like the fact it is compact, light and travel friendly.
Kids and adults can enjoy it and seems very educational x
would be fun to play with our 3 grand-kids
This game would be easy to transport anywhere and can be played wherever we are, good for holidays and long journeys 🙂 x
great game for kids and big kids lol x
Easy to transport and everyone can play. Ideal for taking on holiday
I like the fact that we can all play what ever the kids ages
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.
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.
I;m loving the game as its one the whole of my family can play together.
fun portable family friendly entertaining well made ingenious educational different
It looks to be simple and fun for all the family (as they say).
It is a game ages eight years and upwards. Taxing for adults but easy enough for children
always on the lookout for new family games this looks just the ticket
As a family we enjoy trying new board games especially during the cold weather, where we can hibernate in front of the fire.
i love that it’s portable and the best thing is it’s educational so children learn whilst they’re playing.
It looks like a game that all the family can enjoy – even grandma!
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
i have never seen or heard of this game but it looks interesting
Easy to store, simple, fun, kids can play on their own = peace
looks a fab easy game, great for family time
Simple but addictive game for people of all ages. Portable and easy to store.
I love that its portable so would be a suitable travel game and that it looks great fun to play!
I like that it is small and can keep the kids entertained without adult intervention lol
It looks nice and simple to get your head around and the fact that its easy to take on holiday is a bonus
It looks so fun for the whole family
i like the fact that it would be great to take away on holiday and both my kids would be able to play
commented on popchef
is small enough to take away and all ages can play it.
Lots like good fun that all the family can enjoy
I love that it’s a game the whole family can play together.
Great game to take camping. Morse room for. Beer!
fab game to take on holiday, use on the plane
I like that it would keep the kids entertained for ages and everyone could play!
This looks like the sort of game that’s hard to master but easy to get addicted to… Just my sort of thing 🙂
Portability is not a problem
When we go on holiday
life without a computer won’t matter
The boys will enjoy the stay
Looks like a fun game to play
I love anyone can play this game and it wouldn’t leave people out who don’t play board games so often 🙂
It looks very visually appealing! The pieces are very pretty.
this looks fun for all ages and will get the brain working
this would be ideal when I go away with my grandchildren as easily packed into my large handbag to play on the train
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
It is simple to learn.
Looks and sounds very interesting – Also very colourful. Would love to try this game
It’s educational and everyone can play it, looks fun
Fun and educational game for all ages which you can carry around easily and keep you entertained 🙂
I like it because it looks fun and is portable
Love it’s educational aspects of this games and the colours and shapes!
Small and compact, great game for travel and family holidays
small easy to carry great for journeys
It is interesting and will keep my Grandson amused for a long time
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
its a game i can play with all the family and i think everyone will love it!
its portable making it convenient
Small and doesn’t take up room!
Sounds like good fun, would keep our brains ticking over and stop boredom. Its not big and bulky. Thumbs up all round
Looks interested, would make a great prize for a charity raffle that I am helping to organise.
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
I love that it requires thought and it doesn’t take hours to play.
I like that it does not take up too much space and that the whole family can play.
It is compact enough to transport around and complex enough to keep any age interested
I like the sound of the game because it is educational but also fun!
Looks fun, challenging and stimulating
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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It’s a great family game.
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.
I love the fact that I can play this game anytime, anywhere even with my 5 grandkids.
I love that it’s small and compact and also that you can adapt it for different numbers of players.
It looks like a great game that me and my daughter will enjoy playing for a very long time 😀