Month: December 2015

Master the Codes

There is a game called Code Master in which you attempt to reach the portal from your starting point while collecting all the crystals and following only paths of certain colors. You have a certain amount of paths of each colors that you are allowed to take, depending on the level. You create your code by placing your assigned color tokens on the designated guide scroll for that level, then follow it and see if it works.Code Master

This game is available exclusively at Target. The assigned places for the crystals, portal and avatar are on the level map, as well as what colors you may use. Each map has all levels who’s final digit is their map number, such as Map 1, which has levels 1, 11, 21, and so forth. There are a total of 60 levels. To keep track of the crystals you have acquired, you put them on the avatar’s sword when you land on them.

In the level pictured, I am allowed exactly 4 greens, 1 red and 1 blue routes.  It uses Guide Scroll 3 and Map 2, and there are 2 crystals I have to acquire before exiting the level. If you look at the code in the Guide Scroll and then trace it on the Map, you will see how I used the color paths to clear level 22.

I would recommend this game for anyone who loves logic puzzles.

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Crates of Tinkering

There’s something called a Tinker Crate. You subscribe, and every month they send you a kit with certain supplies you assemble into the month’s December's Tinker Crate projectscience project using the included instructions. Some of the crafts are drip irrigation kits, bottle rockets, and homemade flashlights.

Though this is a blog for games, Tinker Crates are fun and I couldn’t resist doing a post about it. The box also comes with a few extra supplies and a booklet to explain the science behind the craft as well as a few other experiments. It is a really fun way to learn about engineering, science and history, and when you’re done you can actually use the creation! I highly recommend it for most kids, though I know many adults who would be equally interested.

My most recent crate was a “Draw-bot”. When you turn it on, it vibrates and colors your piece of paper. It included a motor, a battery case, two batteries, a gear, and much more.

Again, I recommend this item for most kids and many adults because it teaches, is a craft, and has many alterations you can make to customize it.

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Portable games

Need a game that you can play on the go, that doesn’t take much time, and is easy to play? Here are some of our personal favorites.

Pass the Pigs; Chupacabra; Easy Come, Easy Go

Easy Come, Easy Go is a fun math and logic game that requires you to be paying close attention. You roll dice to try to get certain number combinations so you can claim a goal, like Exactly 7. The game ends when someone has 3 goals. Plus, John Kovalic drew it!
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Chupacabra is a very appetizing game where you roll and eat dice with other dice. Chupacabras can eat cows, chickens and goats. (When you eat dice you acquire them.) For every chupacabra, you can eat 1 goat or 2 chickens. It takes 2 chupacabras to eat a cow. The goal is to have all of the dice.
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Pass The Pigs is a “dice” game where you use pigs instead of dice. Depending on the position they land in (like razorback, which is when the pig lands on his back), you get points. The goal is to be the first to reach 100 points.
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Would you like a role in Deadwood Studios?

Deadwood Studios is a brilliant acting game where you can do some minor acting. On your turn you move to another room, or, if you have already taken a role, you can act. If you move into a room you may flip the scene and then chose whether or not you want a role in it.

Deadwood StudiosOnce you have a role, you may rehearse, where you earn a token that will remind you of the rehearsal bonus (+1 to your roll for each token), or you could act. When you act, you roll a die. If you roll the number of the scene’s budget or higher (indicated in the upper right of the card), the movie progresses a scene. Otherwise, you receive money (unless you have an “On card” role) and the scene doesn’t continue.

In the end, the person with the highest collection of rank, fame and money wins the game.

I would play this game with my parents and convention friends.

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