All Hail Knucklebeard!
Australia
Wodonga
Victoria
BorderCon 101 - Bring the fun, bring a smile, grab a game from the pile. Place the Meeple, play a card, swing your sword and kill the guard! So make the trip, don't be docile, look for details on my profile!
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All of my 'Light Reviews' aim to offer a brief overview that allows people to get a good feel for what the game may offer them, the options involved and general flow of play.
Summary
Game Type - Puzzle Game
Play Time: 15-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-4
Mechanics - Puzzle Solving, Set Collection
Difficulty - Pick-up & Play (Can be learnt in under 10 minutes)
Components - Excellent
Image Courtesy of Lobo
Overview
The aim of Ubongo is to collect as many gems as possible. However a player’s score will be determined by their highest total of any one gem colour. This lends Ubongo much of its strategy as the players must strategically position themselves in such a way as to maximise their gem collecting activities.
Where’s the puzzle element I hear you ask? Well the more successful (faster) a player is in solving their puzzle, the more options they will have when moving in order to collect gems. If it sounds interesting then I’m not really surprised, because Ubongo is a cool little game.
Components
I suspect that the designers were aware that some people (gamers even) would perceive puzzles to be dry or dull affairs. To help counteract this possible perception, Ubongo uses an African theme for the components. This allows for some nice iconic illustrations and eye-catching colours that really make the game stand out. Not surprisingly the theme has no impact on the play in any way.
 Gem Board – Two pieces fit together to create the board or track where the gems are located. The board is rectangular in shape and comprises of 72 small holes arranged in 6 columns where the gems are placed (12 holes per column). The board is festooned with various images from Africa. At one end of the board is an area for the player’s pieces.
Image Courtesy of liebewanze
 Gems – Sometimes the style and quality of components can make or break a game. In Ubongo, it is the gems and they look spectacular. They are made from see-through acrylic and shaped like gems. They tend to catch the light and almost glow at times. They really help bring the game alive and give it a small wow factor. They also tend to catch the eye of passers by. I’d like to buy these for use in other games as replacement currency. Nexus Ops would be a great example as these little beauties would be a great replacement for the cardboard Rubium Tokens the game offers.
Image Courtesy of rseater
There are 12 gems in each colour, of which there are 6 in all. This makes for a total of 72 gems. This allows for every hole in the Gem Board to be filled at the start of the game.
 Playing Pieces – This are simple but very tactile, leaving you with a positive memory of holding them. They are essentially just vertical pieces, but they have almost been ergonomically designed so that they offer natural holding positions for a person’s fingers. Stylistically they remind me of an African woman, perhaps with a basket on her head. I’m sure that’s just me though – I need to get out more.
Image Courtesy of Verti
 Puzzle Boards – These are by far the most important component found in the game. There are 36 in all and each board offers a puzzle area on both sides. A puzzle area consists of a series of squares that together form an irregular shape. It is this shape that must be solved or filled in (see below). The Puzzle Boards are thick and highly durable.
Image Courtesy of Noaceyet
Beside each puzzle, there are 6 icons and each icon has a series of Puzzle Piece icons associated with them. These indicate, which Puzzle Pieces must be used to solve the puzzle on that board (based on the icon rolled on the dice).
On one side of each Puzzle Board there are 3 Puzzle Pieces per icon. On the other side there will be 4 Puzzle Pieces listed per icon. These represent a skill or complexity level of sorts.
 Dice – The dice is a D6 and features 6 African themed icons. They include the Elephant, Warrior Mask, Snake, Antelope, Shield & Spears Hand. These match the icons on each of the Puzzle Boards. When the dice is rolled, each player checks that icon on their Puzzle Board and this tells them which pieces they must use to solve their puzzle.
 Puzzle Pieces – Each player receives a set of 12 pieces, these are used to solve each puzzle. The pieces are shaped like those from Tetris, with a surface area of between 2 and 5 puzzle board spaces each (4 being the most common). They are vibrantly coloured and each player gets an identical set of pieces.
Image Courtesy of lclaudius
 Sand Timer – A plastic sand timer is also included and allows each round to offer a time limit restriction. The length of the timers differs slightly from game to game (I’ve done some research), but they range from 45-50 seconds. For the record mine lasts for 47 seconds. That will be a +1 to my Geek Rating.
Image Courtesy of Verti
The use of the timer can be optional. This is often a good idea when first learning the game, but experienced players usually like the added pressure of time.
 Rules – The rules are very clearly written and offer full colour examples.
 Box – This is the first time I’ve ever included the box in a review but I felt I had to. It really is gorgeous to look at, using a vibrant orange, which I suspect was chosen to represent the colour of desert earth.
In summary, the components of Ubongo are top quality and far surpass that of your average abstract or puzzle game.
The Set-up
Each game lasts for a total of 9 rounds, in which each player must try to solve a puzzle per round. So each game will see 18, 27 or 36 Puzzle Boards used. Put aside any Puzzle Boards that are not used.
The gems are mixed and randomly placed in the holes located in the Gem Board. Some players may like to mix up the gems after they have been assigned if they feel that too many gems of the same colour are in close proximity.
Each player then selects a Playing Piece and selects 1 of the 6 possible starting locations on the Gem Board. It is possible to have multiple players start in the same location.
Finally each player takes a set of Puzzle Pieces and spreads them out in their play area ready for quick pick-up and use.
The Play
Get New Puzzle Board - Each player is given a random Puzzle Board to begin. Because each board has a 3-piece side and a 4-piece side, the game essentially offers two skill levels, as generally speaking the 3-piece boards are easier.
This allows for handicaps by giving experienced players the harder boards. Once all players are experienced, random boards are the way to go.
Roll the Dice – Any player can roll the dice. The icon rolled will determine which set of pieces must be used by each player to solve their puzzle. Each player can see this by referring to their Puzzle Board.
Set the Timer – As soon as the dice stops rolling, any player can turn the Sand Timer and set it in motion. Each player now has an added pressure in solving their puzzle. I like it.
Solving Puzzles – Finally we get to the core of Ubongo. The aim is to solve each puzzle as quickly as possible. To solve a puzzle, each player must use only the pieces listed against the icon/symbol rolled (on their board). These pieces must be used to completely fill the Puzzle Area on their board. To do this each piece will likely need to be flipped, turned and rotated until a possible solution is found.
When a puzzle is solved, the player should call out ‘Ubongo’. This now allows the player to collect gems.
Collecting Gems – Solving a puzzle is the goal as it allows a player to collect 2 gems. However the speed with which you solve the puzzle is also important. If a player is 1st to finish, they are allowed to move up to 3 spaces left or right of their starting position. Once they stop they can take the two closest gems in that column. These gems are added to the player’s pool of gems.
The player who finishes their puzzle 2nd, is only allowed to move 2 spaces before collecting their 2 gems.
The player who finishes their puzzle 3rd, is only allowed to move 1 space before collecting their 2 gems.
In a 4-player game, you don’t want to finish last as you will not be allowed to move at all, but you can still collect 2 gems in the column you are presently in.
This movement and collection mechanic is a really nice addition. It still allows all players to collect the same amount of gems (thereby keeping all players in the race), but the greater flexibility of movement for finishing quicker means that faster puzzle solvers have a greater chance to move and acquire the gems they desire.
The Pressure – But that is not all, oh no there is far more pressure than that. Already the players are in a race against all other opponent’s to complete their puzzle first. Then there is the pressure of doing it in roughly 47 seconds or so. But there is also another rule that states the players must also perform any move they make and collect their 2 gems within that time limit.
So that means it is possible to complete a puzzle but fail to move and collect gems before the sand runs out. If I can channel the Seinfeld Soup Nazi Character for a moment, “No gems for You!”
End Game – Once a round is concluded, each player has the chance to review the relative totals of their opponent’s gems. Each player discards their Puzzle Board and is issued with another one ready for the next round. This madcap madness continues until the 9th Puzzle Board is issued, solved and gems collected.
Scoring – Each player now identifies which coloured gem they have the most of. This represents each player’s final score. The player who possesses the most gems in any 1 colour is declared the winner.
If two players tie for their highest gem total in a given colour, those players must identify the gem colour that represents their 2nd best total in order to break the tie. This continues until the tie is broken.
The Final Word
A Unique Experience - I really love Ubongo for its uniqueness. It is part puzzle, part game and the challenge is excellent. When played solo the game offers little challenge at all. Each of the puzzles could be finished within a few minutes, but of course Ubongo doesn’t play that way. Cue point two.
The Challenge - It is the challenge of playing against other opponents and the added time pressure that make Ubongo really shine. With experience the average player can probably solve about 80% of the puzzles.
But then there is the whole meta-game of moving and collecting gems from the Gem Board. Identifying the locations of desireable gems (long before they are attainable) and planning long term moves are all addictive. With a little experience strategies such as collecting other player’s gems as a defensive tactic and delaying a gem claim (in the hope that other player’s take gems first, thereby leaving more desireable gems), are all options that can be discovered.
The Experience - Ubongo is able to conjure up moments of intense tension and anticipation. This is most common when two players realize they are going after the same gem colour and a particular column has 2 gems of that colour sitting adjacent to each other. If both players are within reach of that column, then the next puzzle board represents a showdown. The fastest player will claim the spoils.
Flexibility – I really like the open nature of Ubongo. At times it may be evident that two players are after a given gem colour. This does not have to spell disaster and clever acquisition of gems can leave a player’s options wide open, with 2 or 3 paths to victory. Ubongo can reward the player with all their eggs in one basket, but it doesn’t have to.
Educational Merit – The concepts of slides, turns, flips and rotations are all important parts of most Maths Curriculums. For this reason Ubongo makes for an excellent game both in the classroom and as a family game. Add to this the strategic nature of gem collection and Ubongo reveals itself as a wonderful little educational game as well.
Difficulty – It is not uncommon to hear someone talk about how they don’t want to play a certain style of game because they feel they are no good at it. I think the puzzle variety falls strongly in this category. What I have found in my playing of Ubongo with many different people, is that Ubongo is a great leveler. I consider myself a pretty good puzzle solver, but I have been stumped many a time by puzzles that others have found easy. The point here is that no one player will continually find the game easy or hard. It is how a person mentally approaches a puzzle that will determine their success. I really like this aspect and think it allows players of all ages and abilities to compete on a fairly even level.
Summary
Over the last 12 months I have endeavoured to find games that venture out of the classic Euro mold as I search for games that don’t simply mirror the feel or mechanics of games already in my collection. For this reason I am so happy that I discovered Ubongo and so is my wife. It is a really fun game for anyone who likes a challenge.
It is possible that some people will still find the puzzles too simple. For those that want some real shtick in their puzzle solving, they should check out Ubongo Extreme, which has just been released I believe. But for me the skill level required in basic Ubongo is perfect for the average gamer and non-gamer alike.
Links
For a full list of my 300+ reviews in a search-able Geeklist -
My Review Geeklist for Easy Reference
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Randall Bart
United States
Granada Hills
California
Red October
Earth is one of my favorite planets
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Re: Ubongo - A Light Review
Neil Thomson wrote: However like Tigris & Euphrates, a player’s score will be determined by their highest total of any one gem colour.
You are playing Tigris & Euphrates way wrong. In T&E you are judged by your lowest color.
And if this is your idea of a light review, please do not post a heavy review, ever.
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All Hail Knucklebeard!
Australia
Wodonga
Victoria
BorderCon 101 - Bring the fun, bring a smile, grab a game from the pile. Place the Meeple, play a card, swing your sword and kill the guard! So make the trip, don't be docile, look for details on my profile!
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Re: Ubongo - A Light Review
Barticus88 wrote: Neil Thomson wrote: However like Tigris & Euphrates, a player’s score will be determined by their highest total of any one gem colour. You are playing Tigris & Euphrates way wrong. In T&E you are judged by your lowest color. And if this is your idea of a light review, please do not post a heavy review, ever.
Yep - brainfade on my part. Probably highlights that I haven't played T&E in about 3 years. Edit made.
On the length - don't check out my Memoir Review then. 
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I will not rest until Biblios is in the Top 100.
United States
Budd Lake
New Jersey
Well I been watchin' while you been coughin, I've been drinking life while you've been nauseous, and so I drink to health while you kill yourself and I got just one thing that I can offer... Go on and save yourself and take it out on me
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Re: Ubongo - A Light Review
Great review of one of my favorite games.
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Diego Mascheroni
Uruguay
Montevideo
Montevideo
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Re: Ubongo - A Light Review
Neil,
Your reviews are realy awesome, thanks for your excelent work and keep them coming ..... 
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Stuart Moulder
United States
Kirkland
Washington
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Great review
Not sure it was "light", but it definitely gave me the information I needed to make a buy decision. I love Take It Easy and Ubongo sounds like it would really appeal to me.
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j w
Belgium
Brussels
Brussels
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Re: Ubongo - A Light Review
Excellent review. It is not so light in length, but the structured overview and step by step commenting make it a very easy read. (i steer clear of reviews in one single paragraph)
very enjoyable review!
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BorderCon 101 - Bring the fun, bring a smile, grab a game from the pile. Place the Meeple, play a card, swing your sword and kill the guard! So make the trip, don't be docile, look for details on my profile!
