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'The Completist'
United States
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1) What kind of games do I own and like?
I mostly like the gateway games because of the ease of learning and teaching. My collection (and reviews) include games like PitchCar, Dominion, Carcassonne, Pandemic, Cosmic Encounter, Lost Cities, Dixit, Ticket to Ride, Survive: Escape from Atlantis, No Thanks, For Sale, and Apples to Apples.
2) What are the differences in three Ricochet Robots editions?
There are three editions that vary from one another:
The First Edition is a reddish trimmed box with the name Ricochet Robot (Note: There is no “S” at the end of Robot) It includes a basic 2-sided, 4-piece board with 4 robots. There was a free silver robot promo available but not included.
The Second Edition is a blue trimmed box with the name Ricochet Robots (Note: This time with an “S”) It includes a different 2-sided, 4-piece board that had angled colored walls on one side and included a fifth robot in black.
The Third Edition is again in a reddish trimmed box but with the name Ricochet Robots (Note: This time again with an “S”) It includes the same basic 2-sided, 4-piece board from the first edition and a fifth robot in silver is now included. My review is based on this third edition.
3) Do I need the “angled” second edition ?
From what I have read the second edition is more complicated than it needs to be. I sought out the third edition because that is what the publisher is confidently standing behind at this time. If I were to get the second edition it would be as an “expansion” to the third edition that I now own. It is possible to mix boards from the second edition with those in the first/third edition.
4) What are the robots like?
I was surprised that my robots didn't come with the vibrant, shiny primary colors that I have seen in most of the photos here on BGG. Mine came in dull, almost chalky colors. Oddly the silver robot has the shiny look and doesn’t match the others. I was a bit disappointed in the muted colors. I may end up painting them with the “proper” colors and some complimenting accents. The mold for the robots is nice but with a little paint detailing I can tip them to awesome!
5) What is the board like?
It comes in 2-sided quadrants. This means three sections can be on Side A and one section on Side B which ultimately means you have 96 combinations of board configurations available. Unfortunately, my Side A and Side B was printed off by about a 1/4 of an inch which means the grids don’t line up exactly when mixing sides. There is never confusion with the rows but the OCD side of me is constantly trying to line them up.
6) Are the rules simple?
So simple. Be the player with the quickest route for the ricocheting robot to its target. You can teach the game in about 30 seconds.
7) What age is it appropriate for?
The box says 10+. My 10 year doesn’t care much for the game. He either doesn’t like it because he is too young for it or his brain doesn’t really click with it. If it is the latter he will never age into the game. Some people instantly like the game and others will instantly hate it.
8) How many players is it best with?
The box says one to infinity which is crazy accurate. Its unbelievable how well it plays with any number. I like it better with more players because it adds to the pressure of coming up with solution quicker and you will typically have better solutions with more people. Playing with one player is basically practice. Its kind of like throwing darts by yourself. You’re playing the game but missing out on the competition.
9) Any down time?
If you are the player that calls out the answer you’ll have to wait 60 seconds while the rest of the group attempts to find a quicker solution. This is not a negative. Your brain will cherish the downtime.
10) So how was the theme?
The game involves ricocheting robots so it is true to its name but there really isn’t any theme. With some clever component substitutions it could have easily been called Ricochet Reindeer or Ricochet Rue McClanahans.
11) Is it accessible?
Tremendously! From the name on the box to the look of the board/robots you will have everyone stopping by the table to investigate. Some will run for the hills but many will at least try their hand for a round or two.
12) So what is the deal with the silver robot.?
I have to admit I am usually a stickler with rules as they are written and don’t typically like house-ruling. But the silver robot can tweak the game in many interesting ways. Here is a great list of 54 possible variants... http://www.boardgamegeek.com/filepage/4477/rasende-roboter-d.... Each one almost seems better than the one before it and you’ll find that you’ll want to experiment with all of them. The game can really change with some interesting silver variants and I would love to hear which ones are most popular with BGGers.
13) How long do games last?
Each round can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Games typically take 30-45 minutes.
14) Does it take much brain power?
Ricochet Robots is so deceptive with its simple design but you will leave the table with your brain overheating. It isn’t complex but its ruthless as it has your brain constantly running on all cylinders.
15) Is it a good filler game?
Absolutely! Maybe the best filler game I own and at the same time it is a game that stands on its own and can fill 1-2 hours by itself. The rules have the individual round winners claiming a token. After so many tokens a game winner is declared but Ricochet Robots really can be played with each individual round as its own game. Family and friends can join in and drop out in mid-game or mid-round without hurting game play. Except for when the 60 second sand timer is flipped over, this game can be put on hold for a phone call, the dinner bell or until the next morning. It doesn’t matter who comes back to the table or where they were sitting. It is a really interesting game in that respect and unlike anything I have seen before.
16) What is the best thing about Ricochet Robots?
That proud moment when you finally figured out a 23 step solution that had everyone stumped for so long. You flip the sand timer, sit back in your chair and smile while everyone else continues taxing their brains. “EIGHT!” someone yells. WTF?! But our group never seems to get upset when someone scoops their solution with a shorter one. I have played where I have given a seven move solution only to be topped by a six and then that quickly beaten with by a five. Everyone in our group is always in awe of the person that solved the most evasive of paths. It is almost as if everyone at the table has beaten the game when a clever path is discovered.
17) What could have improved the game for me?
Better painted robots. The different sides of the board lining up correctly. It would have been nice if the board sections could rotate 360 degrees to offer even more variety in set up.
18) Who won’t like Ricochet Robots?
You already know if you’ll like this game or not. Likewise, you should already have a good idea which one of your family and friends won’t like it. My wife has to turn the road map in her hands to tell me which way I’ll be turning--she’ll hate it. My mother can’t plan more than two moves ahead in chess--she’ll hate it. My sister only plays “mindless” games like Gin Rummy--she’ll hate it. My other sister loves drawing maps and diagrams--she’ll love it. If you’re not sure, simply explain the mechanics of the game and if you don’t hear “Oh, I would hate that..” before you’re done you’ve probably found someone to play with.
19) Do I recommend Ricochet Robots?
If you think you can find people to play it, it is a sure bet. If you can’t think of anyone that will like this game you’re probably better off passing it by...or better yet, finding new friends. Although it plays more like a puzzle than a game it is a great addition ot the game closet.
20) Where does this game rank in my collection?
Check out my game rankings here... http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/69970/320-questions-ab....
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David Bohnenberger
United States
Swarthmore
Pennsylvania
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Thanks for the cool review of a cool, unique game. I always have this at the ready just in case an infinite number of people show up at my house. There are very few games which an infinite number of people can play simultaneously.
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Juan Medina
United States
Cibolo
Texas
Property of LunaClara
Board games rule my life, and my wife's. That is a good thing, believe it or not ;)
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Awesome review. As you point out, it is a great game for people to jump in and out easily and you can play for any amount of time you want.
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Dave VanderArk
United States
Coopersville
Michigan
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I would buy a copy of Ricochet Rue McClanahans!
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David van Damme
Netherlands
Rotterdam
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It is a nice game, being the first to call the number of moves and then you have one minute to try and not forget how you did it.
It is true that it is not for everyone, my wife absolutely does not see the fun in this one.
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Malachi Brown
United States
Hermitage
TN
It's turtles all the way down.
“Questions are a burden to others; answers a prison for oneself.”
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Hockey Mask wrote: 9) Any down time?
If you are the player that calls out the answer you’ll have to wait 60 seconds while the rest of the group attempts to find a quicker solution. This is not a negative. Your brain will cherish the downtime.
Thanks for your review of a classic game. I just wanted to point out that unless you have found what you are certain is the best possible solution, it is usually a good idea to keep looking for a solution after flipping the timer even if you currently have the best bid. It prepares you in case someone calls a better solution and you can always find and call a better one yourself.
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'The Completist'
United States
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That is a good point.
I usually use the time to double check and triple check my solution and memorize my path. The last time I played I said I had a solution in nine, double checked it and found that it was really in ten. That left me about 40 seconds to find a 9 move solution, which I did some how. It actually felt like I had cheated and I had to ask if it counted. I found it before the sand timer ran out but it still felt very odd.
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Malachi Brown
United States
Hermitage
TN
It's turtles all the way down.
“Questions are a burden to others; answers a prison for oneself.”
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I am pretty sure it is valid, after having called a 9 that does not exist, to call the 10 and execute that if no one finds a better solution...
I usually find an outlandish solution very quickly which I call to flip the timer, then I refine it and call out better numbers...
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Edward
United States
New York City
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Malachi wrote: I am pretty sure it is valid, after having called a 9 that does not exist, to call the 10 and execute that if no one finds a better solution...
No. You can adjust your guess downwards, but you may never adjust it upwards. Others can always call a slower solution than you and hope you fail, but once you make your first call, you can only go down, not up.
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Malachi Brown
United States
Hermitage
TN
It's turtles all the way down.
“Questions are a burden to others; answers a prison for oneself.”
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Oh, you're quite right. I was just confused with the fact that other players can make higher bids. I don't recall this ever coming up in the games I have played anyway.
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Posted Sun Jul 24, 2011 5:49 am
