C Paget
Canada
Toronto
ON
...
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This is a quick little dice game. It’s hit the table a few times in the last couple of weeks, so I’ve been inspired to review it.
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Value: Is it worth the price?
9
Pickomino is a little pricey for the gameplay that you get, but it’s because of the quality of the components (see notes below). Overall the value is great.
Variety: Is each play different?
1
Very little variety: because not only does each game feel the same, each turn feels very similar.
Replayability: Can you play again & again?
6
Lots of replay opportunities. Particularly back-to-back, as I usually find that once the game hits the table, it’ll be played a couple of times. But at the same time, you won’t want to play this game every day. It’s more of a break and then binge pattern of replay.
Slow to Master: Experience to move beyond rules?
2
It takes maximum a couple turns to figure out how the dice work, and to start formulating your strategies for using and manipulating them.
Strategic Depth: Opportunity for decision-making?
4
For such a simple game, there is a surprising amount of strategy. It’s all about choosing what you’re going for, and then managing the probabilities while trying to get there.
It’s a push-your-luck game, so you’re always deciding how far to push...
Player Interaction: Contact between players?
4
Most of the time you are working on your own, with only indirect contact as players take tiles away from the “grill”. But the opportunity to steal your opponent’s top tile gives just enough direct player interaction to keep the game tense.
Fun: An enjoyable experience?
7
Highly enjoyable, in a chaotic way. The strong luck factor can make the game frustrating for some, but as long as the players understand what they’re getting into, then they’ll love it.
Luck-Free: Is winning independent of luck?
2
Pickomino is chock full of luck: you need to have the dice on your side in order to win. The luck also brings in opportunities for a come-from-behind victory, which is a great feature.
Theme Fit: Does it match the theme?
3
This is an abstract game.
The pasted-on theme of birds eating worms (bbq-ed worms at that) fits the game very well.
But at the same time, there are multiple examples of rethemes available (including the facebook version), so most pasted-on themes could work with the game too, if you wanted.
Gateway: Is it good with non-gamers?
8
Most non-gamers will enjoy this game, with the exception of those that hate rolling dice.
Rules A-OK: Confirming it isn’t broken?
10
The rules are perfect. No problems here.
Teachable : Is it easy to teach?
8
Very easy to teach. The only reason that I didn’t give this a “10” is that the rules are completely arbitrary (because it’s an abstract game) which can add a bit of difficulty when teaching.
Least Text etc: Minimal Reading/Symbology?
9
No reading at all, but there is a smidge of symbology in the worms and the relationships between the numbers and how many worms that you pick up.
Short Set-Up: Does it set-up quickly?
9
Very quick set-up: just order the tiles to form the “grill” and start rolling.
The bonus benefit is that Pickomino is super-portable, and could be played on any surface.
Components: Are the bits high quality?
10
The components are excellent: nicely made dice and the tiles are both beautiful and hefty.
Bottom Line
I highly recommend Pickomino if you’re looking for a quick push-your-luck game.
It would also be a great game with kids, because it involves just a bit of math, and a lot of luck (somehow kids seem to always have luck on their side).
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Andrzej Sieradzki
Poland
Opole
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Agreed. I used to play it with my 6 year old daughter. She became a real Pickomino master.
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Klaus Brune
United States
Torrance
California
HEY! That TICKLES!
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I agree that the tiles are nice, but I would have been a lot happier if they hadn't gone with WOODEN dice (Rio Grande Games version)
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Steve Duff
Canada
Ottawa
Ontario
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Gruumsh wrote: I agree that the tiles are nice, but I would have been a lot happier if they hadn't gone with WOODEN dice ( Rio Grande Games version)
Good point. I'm going to do something about it. 
Anybody interested in custom dice? (OFFER CLOSED)
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