Ganz schön clever game review

Mechanics: Roll and write

Game difficulty: easy

Game duration: 30 min

Number of players: 2-4

Best number of players: None

Continuing to describe the currently fashionable "drop and fill" games, we should mention two more that are currently relevant. “Railroad Ink.” and “ Ganz Schon Clever ”. “Railroad Ink.” is interesting, fast, but too difficult to follow and the least elegant of them all, but "Ganz schon clever" is the king of the genre at the moment. Why, that's also in this description.

Subject matter

What I like is the fact that the game doesn't pretend to have a theme. There aren't any here, just a bunch of interested mechanics. I appreciate this kind of honesty, because it's much better than having mechanics added to the game, like counting money in Venice or a Martian invasion.

Components

There aren't many components to the game, other than six rolling dice, four black markers, and a hundred playing cards, each of which can be used once. As usual, my criticism is that the game sheets are not laminated and can run out, but you can play at least 25 four-player games for a total of at least 12 hours, and when you run out of sheets, you can laminate the remaining few yourself . The graphic design of the game is "nothing" to say the least, it's like 6 different colored tables. I think most readers could draw such a design themselves, but I must add that it is very functional and helps to easily understand the rules of the game.

Mechanics

One of the players is the active player, who rolls six dice, keeps one of them and records the result on his sheet. The catch is that the higher value dice are usually more valuable, but all lower value dice are returned to the opponents to use. Players must use the selected dice to fill one of five tables, each with slightly different conditions to fill. Each die can only be marked in certain places depending on its color and locations.

The biggest joy of the game lies in two things - choices are important from the very beginning, and you have to constantly think about what can help your opponents. The interaction is indirect but significant, it can't really block anyone, but mistakes can lead to giving your opponents some really valuable dice.

It is necessary to develop each of the five tables, but at the same time balance them sufficiently. But the most exciting thing is the combinations. Completing each of the tables gives players options for different combinations. The feeling of being able to get a bonus in one move that unlocks another bonus that unlocks a third is very satisfying, and being able to create that is the biggest thrill of the game. In the second part of the game, getting bonuses will become hair-pulling, when it will be more and more difficult to get valid numbers, and the possibility of re-rolling becomes really valuable.

Multiplayer

I got the game used for 5 EUR and it was one of the best board game purchases I've made. The multiplayer is super high, every game a lot depends on the choices of other players, the different tables give you the opportunity to change your strategy, create new combinations and look at the game in a different way. In my opinion, multiplayer is the greatest among games of this genre.

Rating

Yes, Ganz schon clever doesn't have a theme at all, but it's so much fun to play this game, make all the combinations, make meaningful choices, influence not only your own game, but also your friends' game. I definitely recommend everyone to try at least one of the "roll and write" games. If you want an interesting theme, then I recommend "Welcome to...", but if you want to enjoy very exciting mechanics and thoughtful game design, then "Ganz schon clever" will be the best choice. Rating 9 out of 10.

The game can be purchased at Brain Games stores on the 1st floor of Rīga Plaza or K. Barona Street 55, or at the online store: Ganz Schon Clever

Board Game Geek rating: 7.6

Author: Kristaps Auzans

Pictures from Board Game Geek