In Ubongo, players compete to solve individual puzzles as quickly as they can. Ubongo! Fun-Size Edition keeps this same idea, but challenges players to complete puzzles in a new way.
In the game, each player has a set of eight polyomino pieces, each a different color. Players decide before the game begins whether they'll use the A- or B-side of the puzzle cards, with the A-side puzzles requiring exactly three pieces to complete and the B-side puzzles requiring exactly four. Which pieces? Well, you have to figure that out for yourself, with each puzzle having at least three different solutions.
At the start of a round, each player receives a new puzzle card and must race to fill in the blank spaces as quickly as possible. As soon as one player has done this, they start counting down to zero and everyone else must complete their puzzle before time is up. Whoever completes their puzzle card in time keeps the card for a point; the player who started the countdown both keeps their card and earns a gemstone worth one point. After eight rounds, the player with the most points wins.
To even the playing field between adults and children in Ubongo! Fun-Size Edition, the adults can play without the yellow piece — a straight line that covers three spaces. All of the puzzles can be solved without this piece, but doing so will be more difficult than normal...
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The abstract puzzle game Ubongo has been distilled into a portable version. Read our review of Ubongo! Fun-Size Edition to learn more.
Polyominoes, those shapes made from adjoining squares, have become a part of many games in recent years. Here's a list of some that have caught the attention...