Pandasaurus sonora, pan202005

Scritto da: Paul A. Martorano

I'm a pretty avid game player. I have a huge assortment in my collection and I own quite a few games that fit into the "Roll and Write" category. The reason that I am mentioning this is that these types of games follow some sort of pattern and that made understanding the rulebook for this one a little easier. If you buy this game as an introduction to the genre, you are most likely going to have a very difficult time making sense of it. Luckily there are many instructional videos online that can supplement the instructions provided. The mechanic that makes this game different, is the "flick" stage that precedes the "write" stage. As far as I can tell, no other game of this sort has that feature. Is it fun? Or is it just a novelty? Well, I can certainly tell you that it is fun. There's just something about the addition of an action to a game that creates a carnival like atmosphere. The issue that I have is that there is a small degree of skill involved. The reason for this is that if you are playing with several others, you can be sure that a well placed shot that you made will not remain there for very long. So, the strategy comes in when you see an opponent has set themselves up nicely and you decide to knock them out of position, shuffle board style. Since the disks are numbered and that does factor into the scoring of the game, deciding when to use specific numbers is another strategy that comes into play. Why use your powerful "5" disk first when it will most likely end up somewhere unwanted by the time the scoring occurs? The fact that Pandasaurus created dry-erase cards as opposed to paper is also a good thing. A pad eventually runs out and needs to be replaced. Sometimes, that can be quite costly. Here, you will eventually need to replace the dry erase markers, but I think comparatively speaking, the cost of that will be much less. That's when your local dollar store will be useful! The scoring sheet is highly strategic and as in many of these type of games, you could set yourself up for a lengthy set of moves by "chaining" your bonuses together. And, rather than have just one thing to focus on, there are actually four events or mini-games that will require your attention during the write phase. If you have some near vision issues, make sure that you are wearing your reading glasses though because the stuff is tiny! It is worth it because the interplay between the mini-games is great and you will most definitely be using the eraser end of the markers a lot. Very innovative and full of thought if you like that sort of thing. I do realize that the artwork employs colors that are typically part of the desert scenario, but they are so muted that it is a little tough to actually distinguish between the different sections easily. I found that I had to continually go back and figure out which section on the flicking board connected to which section on the scoring card. This is probably the game's biggest flaw. I think connecting the matching sections with an easily distinguishable color would really make the game much easier to play. Other than that, it is a neat, innovative new game that will be enjoyed by many willing to invest the time into learning it. In closing, I just want to comment on the solo variation described in the instructions. It seems like it was tacked on as an afterthought and it is incredibly difficult to interpret the rules. They don't give any examples and I often found myself reading the same paragraph multiple times trying to make sense of it. Apparently many people online had the same questions. Solo play is most likely something that I will never use again. It just didn't feel nearly as good as the gameplay with other live people, and much of it just didn't make any sense. Perhaps if the instructions had been more clear, I would find it more interesting. 7/27/2020: After now having played this game with 2 and 3 people, I can say that at lower player counts, the skill involved in the flicking action becomes much less random. The game was very well received by the other players and each time I play it, I get better! My score has been climbing with each replay. I changed my review and made it 5 stars because all had a great time. Weiterlesen

Scritto da: Amazon Customer

This game isnt hard to learn but hard to master, flicking pucks is a physical precision aspect that most board games dont have and other players add an exciting twist to your plans Adjustable round settings make the game longer or shorter if needed and the art style is very pretty mosaic like pastels Weiterlesen

Scritto da: FotoPat

The publisher states this is the world's first flick and write game. And that's very likely true. However, despite this being a flicking game it very much functions as a roll and write game. The flicking acts as a randomizer. The good thing (or bad depending on your ability) is that some skill can get you a better result. However, unless you're the last to play it's fairly easy to be knocked out of position so others will have a chance. I honestly think the flicking part is not only the least interesting part of the game, it's not really the game at all. The game is how you use the points you scored on your individual board. Sonora has four mini-games on a laminated sheet. You cross off or draw in each section in a way to maximize your points for that section. I'm greatly simplifying it, but that's it in a nutshell. These mini-games are all puzzles in themselves. And in one of the four you're competing against others to get the most points and bonuses. These mini-games function just like a typical roll and write. And just like about every other roll and write, the majority of the game you're playing isn't the rolling of dice (or in the case flicking), it's how you use the points (or pips on the dice) you have on your individual sheet or board. I'm giving Sonora four stars because it's unique and the mini-games - which are the core of the game - are as good if not better than most of the roll and writes I've played. Also, unlike most roll and writes, this has elements of interaction. That being said, this game really isn't for me. Here's why: Even though the flicking is not the game, it doesn't really work for me personally. And thing is, I don't really like any flicking games. I have no interest in Crokinole. I even feel a bit apathetic about Safranito which is a gorgeous game with a unique theme. About the only flicking game I like is Flick 'em Up. And the reason that works for me is that flicking fits the theme - shooting a gun. Here the flicking has nothing to do with the theme - as is typical for most flicking games. Which brings me to another negative for me - the lack of connection to the theme. Again, this complaint might not mean much to others because very very few roll and writes have a connection to their theme. Some have none like That's Pretty Clever. So it's not essential for a good game. But for me, the combo of the dessert and the flicking just doesn't work. I don't think it's going to matter to a lot of other gamers. Which brings me to my next point. This is not Yahtzee. The rules to Sonora aren't going to make a lot of sense to a casual gamer who only knows Monopoly, Yahtzee etc. If you're in this camp I'd recommend starting with a different game to try out. This is a game for more serious gamers who love roll and write games and are going to enjoy the flicking or least not object to it. Lastly, Sonora doesn't work for me personally because I'm better at dexterity games than my wife and there is a bit of take that when your disk knocks another out of position. I generally avoid games with that kind of interaction when playing with my wife. I generally try to rate games not just on how much I like them, but at how good they are for their intended audience. While I'm a serious gamer, I don't think I'm the audience for this game. Despite that, I think this is a unique game worthy of some praise and attention. If what you've read piques your interest you should definitely check out Sonora. At least as of this writing, there really isn't another game out there like it. Weiterlesen

Scritto da: C Kim Deamer

Fun game! I like flicking the discs. Just a new twist to all the other games out there. A little difficult to learn at first . Weiterlesen

Scritto da: Ernesto

Sonora is a one to four player flick and write game. This game plays for five to seven rounds where players will flick discs in order to write onto 1 of 4 zones on their score sheet. After the fifth or seventh round the game ends and players score. For Setup: Each player will choose a color and take five numbered discs (#1-5) along with a score sheet and marker. The game board will be placed between players with the corner (known as a launch zone) facing them. The first player will have the "Cliff Dweller Ruins" facing them. The first player is decided by the player who most recently helped a wild animal, or whatever players see fit for deciding. Gameplay: In turn order, a player will flick two discs of any value (1-5) onto the game board. The game board is divided into four zones; "Cliff Dweller Ruins" (Lizard), "Canyon" (Fox), "Creek Bed" (Owl), and "Mudcracks" (Bunny). The 3rd time around the board the players will only be flicking one die. When players are done flicking they will score the round and then a new round will begin. Zones: "Cliff Dweller Ruins", also represented by an image of a Lizard, is the only zone where players will have to find out who has the highest sum of discs in the zone. The reason being is players will get to fill in spots for this zone and the first player to complete an area will gain the max amount of victory points and the bonus. The areas of this zone go from A to H, and range from 5 to 22 spots. "Canyon", represented by a Fox, is a zone that allows players to draw in shapes to fill in squares. Players score victory points by getting their shapes to enclose cacti for victory points that range from 5 points for one cacti to 40+ for 8+ cacti. "Creek Bed", represented by an Owl, is a zone that allows players to move down the creek based on what the number is on their numbered disc. The number that they end on is a number they can circle. At the end of the game each circled spot gives the player victory points. "Mudcracks" , represented by a Bunny, is a zone where players take the total value of their numbered discs to cross of nodes by subtracting the amount of their value from the node. The purpose of this zone is to enclose cacti to gain victory points based on the type of cacti it is. These numbers range for x2, x4, and x6. Game end and Winning: At the end of the game the player with the most victory points wins the game. A short game lasts 5 rounds, medium 6 rounds, and a long game is 7 rounds. Sonora is a fun flick and write game that brings dexterity to what is normally not a very active type of game. It is very lite which means players will usually play a game that takes 30 min to an hour. The main thing that makes it fun is knocking into other player's pieces in order to improve their own goals, or to guarantee the other player does not get what they want. Bumping into another player's disc never felt mean, or that someone's game was damaged. The aspect of choosing any numbered disc also means that a player can choose to deploy a number they need at a later point of their turn. There is also additional bonuses that can also mitigate issues like being able to re-flick a disc, or even swamping discs which allows a player change the position of two discs. The first round feels random, but the last round usually has more deliberate flicking going on. The Solo mode available in this game is okay, but not really something that anyone should buy this game for. This is a group game, so playing with maxed players seems best. Sonora is, again, a lite game that is at a good price point, and is enjoyable as a filler game as it is quick setup and play. Teaching the Game: Remember that bonuses that players receive for "Mudcrack" zone, Bunny, are added to the zone as per the standard rule as Fox's are used immediately. Weiterlesen