Metro X, by Gamewright - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:           Flip-and-write game 

Rating:                      ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:   8 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Anyone (older kids/ adults) who enjoys strategy games 

 “Flip-and-write game” has just become one of our favourites game genres, and we are so glad to have discovered another fantastic game to add to this category: “Metro X” by Gamewright, kindly gifted by Jedko Games. 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) A Super Fun Flip-And-Write Game Full Of Tactical Moves 

This game is simple to learn, but hard to master. Each player gets a dry-erase board that shows a multi-colour map of complex subway lines. Shuffle the 15 transit cards, reveal the top card one at a time. All players simultaneously pick a route on the board with an empty Train Car Window, fill it in with the indicated number or “X” (depending on the types of transit card being revealed), and mark-off a number of stations equal to the number on the card, or stops when you reach a box that is already crossed off. The goal is to cross off as many stations as possible (penalty applies depending on the number of stations being left empty). The routes intersect and cross over each other, and that’s when “Skip” cards come in handy by allowing us to skip over previously crossed off stations along a route. The first player to complete a given route scores the most points; everyone who subsequently completes the same line earn a lower value.

(2) Variety of Transit Cards To Spice Up The Gameplay 

I love that there are a few variety of transit cards to give the game some interesting twists. Apart from the standard “Number” and “Skip” cards, there is also a “Free” card that can be used to mark off any empty station on the board. Transfer cards allow us to earn a score equals to 2X of the number of lines that intersect with the first empty station of a selected route. My personal favourite is the “Re-Shuffle 6” card which really spice up the game by allowing us to reshuffle the whole deck (including cards from the discard pile) and restart the flipping process again. 

(3) Two Different Maps On The Wipeable / Reusable Double-Sided Game Board 

I love that there are two different maps on each board (Metro City or Tube Town) - which adds to the variety and replay-ability. The artwork is clean, and I love that the set also includes 6 dry-erase markers (with a little eraser on the lid of each pen). This game can be played by up to 6 players, and the rule book also includes a “Solo Variant” section. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://sirsquaretoes.com.au/products/metro-x-rail-write-game (Australia) 

https://www.toysandtales.com.au/products/metro-x (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Sushi Go, By Gamewright - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:           Card game with Sushi theme  

Rating:                      ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:   8 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Card games/ board games/ Sushi lovers, especially someone who enjoys strategy games with "card-drafting" mechanism 

I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t like Sushi Go from Gamewright before - it’s easy to pick up, engaging and interactive, and super cute. Thank you Jedko Games - this is extremely awesome! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Fun "Card-Drafting" Mechanism With Engaging Rules 

Sushi Go is the type of game where every single move and action by a player would potentially change the entire dynamics of the game. The game is played over 3 rounds. In each round, players are dealt out a predetermined number of cards; everyone simultaneously select a card and reveal it, and pass the remaining cards in their hands to the player next to them. Each card worths a different point when they are played correctly according to the conditions; for example, you need to gather a pair of Tempura cards in order to score 5 points, and 3 sashimi cards together will earn you 10 points. At the end of the 3rd round, the player with the most points is the winner. I love the “card-drafting” mechanism - the anticipation and how we need to reformulate new strategy each time when we receive a new set of cards on hand, and that strategic fun of monitoring and keeping track of what other players are doing at the same time! 

(2) Unique Cards With Special Points & Powers For Strategy Play  

I love that there are sufficient unique cards with special rules to give the game a twist, and makes it a tactical “game of dilemmas”. Every “good” choices we made comes together with giving up something valuable to another player. Should we focus on accumulating Sushi Rolls to gain 6 points, or should we keep eyeing on the Wasabi + Nigiri combo which have a potential of tripling the point up to 9? And don’t forget to collect sufficient pudding cards or you might end up losing up to 6 points at the end of the game. My personal favourite is the “Chopsticks” card - it doesn’t worth a point by itself, but gives us the power of keeping 2 best cards during a turn. 

(3) Super Adorable Artwork With Cute Smiley Faces 

The artwork is SO ADORABLE and heart-capturing! Seriously, how can anyone resists that cute smiley faces on the baby dumplings and salmon nigiri! This is a delicious game that the kids and adults really love at our home! 

(4) Nice Sturdy Tin Container 

I also love the sturdy tin container -cute, organised, and perfect for travel! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://theboardgamer.com.au/products/sushi-go (Australia) 

https://www.toyworld.com.au/products/sushi-go-card-game (Australia) 

https://www.childplay.com.au/products/gamewright-sushi-go-in-multi-colour-print (Australia) 

https://www.m-g.com.au/product/sushi-go/ (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Go Nuts for Donuts, By Gamewright - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Strategy card game with donuts!    

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age: 8 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Anyone who loves donuts/ delicious treats/ strategy games 

 A strategy card game with delicious donuts that brings sunshine to the room - this game is irresistible! “Go Nuts for Donuts” from Gamewright has been around in the market for a while, and it has always been THE game that I really wanted to test out. Thank you Jedko Games for providing a copy. 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) A Strategy Game With FUN Moves 

I’m a BIG FAN of strategy games - anything involves crafty planning and calculative moves. In this game, players need to figure out which donut they want while also trying to read your opponents’ minds. Each round, a number of donut cards are set out face-up, each beneath a numbered marker. Players simultaneously reveal which donut they have secretly picked; if two persons selected the same donut then neither players get it. If you were the only one who pick a specific donut, then you get to keep that sweet treat. Each card would either reward you with a certain points, or comes with special actions (eg getting an extra card from deck, or from discard pile etc). The player with the most points when the deck runs out, wins the crown. We love those funny “mind games”, quiet plans to defeat another’s victory scheme, outsmarting each other whilst trying to keep our eyes on the prize (or donut). Should we aim for the larger goal by collecting “Donut Holes” (15 points if you collected 5 in a set), or should we go straight to a single “powdered” donut and claim a decent 3 points? Should we go for “Strawberry Glaze” to discard a player’s card, or should we go “Sprinkled” and throw our worst card at the biggest rival? This game is frustrating, fun, and (thankfully) non-fattening! 

(2) Recommended Family & Party Game 

I love that the game can be played by 2 to 6 players - which make this a great family game and party game. This is a great filler game that is easy to teach, fast to learn, quick to complete. Amazingly, sometimes, the player with the least strategy might turn out to be the ultimate winner (e.g. my 4 year-old who just repeatedly selects the best-looking treats). 

(3) Card Game With SUPER Cute Artworks 

I love the adorable artworks: donuts with cute faces, delightful graphics, lovely bright colours, tantalising pastries. Irresistible - 100%! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.gamesworld.com.au/product/go-nuts-for-donuts/ (Australia) 

https://www.m-g.com.au/product/go-nuts-for-donuts/ (Australia)

https://jedko.com.au/ (Australia - Wholesale & Distributor) 

Enjoy the video! 

Elephant Trunk, by Gamewright

Nature/ Type:           Cute board game for young kids with elephant + travel themes  

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  

Recommended age:  4 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Young kids who love a cute games

I have a bit of mixed feelings about this Elephant’s Trunk game from Gamewright. On the one hand, it’s super cute and colourful; BUT the rules, oh the rules. I found myself reading and re-reading the rules a few times and still scratching my head in confusion. 

First off, why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Lovely Theme - I love the creativity, the play of word (elephant’s “trunks” game with travel trunks, how clever!), the colourful tin suitcases, wooden elephant piece and dice. The game pieces are well-made and lovely to look at. 

(2) Beautiful Components - kids are attracted to the pretty pieces, especially the tin containers. My 1 year-old ++ has no idea how to play board game yet, but she loves opening and closing the “trunks”. My four-year-old thinks the tin containers are really cool and useful for his pretend play. 

(3) Colour-Recognition- this is an educational colour recognition game for young kids. 

Having said that, I find the complicated rules to be a little frustrating. In a gist, clothing tokens are divided amongst player, Emmet the elephant is placed in front of any trunk. The objective is to pack all your clothing items into a matching colour trunk by rolling the coloured dice. The twist: if the dice reveals a mouse, the player needs to empty the trunk where Emmet is standing. There are also additional rules about the number of tokens a player can place into a trunk depending on where Emmet is, moving Emmet clockwise when a “mouse” is rolled, and the number of tokens to be used depending on number of players etc. We got the rules all messed up really shortly, and ended up making our own rules along the game. 🤣

In short, I think this game has good potential once we understand and get used to the rules. But as of now, I just enjoy watching the two kids opening, closing and opening the tins repeatedly and randomly for no reason. 😂

Enjoy the video!