Tsuro Review

GAME INFORMATION

Designer: Tom McMurchie

Artist: Shane Small

Publisher: Calliope Games

Year Published: 2012

Number of Players: 2-8

Suggested Ages: 8+

Playing Time: 15 minutes

Game Genre: Family

Game Category: Abstract Strategy and Fantasy

Key Mechanics: Hand Management, Player Elimination, Route/Network Building and Tile Placement

Contents:

1 Game Board

35 Path Tiles

1 Dragon Tile

8 Marker Stones (Player Pawns)

1 Rules Document

GAME OVERVIEW

(Taken from the back of the box and the Rules Document)

Since time began, the Dragon and the Phoenix have guarded over and guided the intertwining paths of life, maintaining the careful balance between the twin forces of choice and destiny. These two powerful beings share the noble task of overseeing the many roads that lead to divine wisdom. Through its masterful blend of strategy and chance, Tsuro represents the classic quest for enlightenment.

Create your own journey with Tsuro, the Game of the Path. Place a tile and slide your stone along the path created, but take care! Other players’ paths can lead you in the wrong direction – or off the board entirely! Find your way wisely to succeed by staying on the board.

REVIEW

REPLAY VALUE

By having up to 8 players, short play time and countless tile path combinations this game has high replay value. The more players playing will change how hard it is to avoid other players controlling what path you have to take. Don’t worry if you lose you can get another game in really quick and try again. I do admit that after awhile it will start to feel like the same game when played too many times back to back, even though it is statistically improbable to play the exact same game.

ENGAGEMENT LEVEL

Not too much focus is needed to play Tsuro, which makes it great for a casual game night. With only minimal path information available to you on your turn it lets you take your turn quickly. There is some in-game player engagement but it is usually very quick and over with. Consistently controlling another players path takes real work and isn’t very easy.

FUNCTIONALITY

The fact that it is nearly impossible to have two players left on the board and all the tiles being used is pretty cool and speaks to the thought that went into this game. Every tile will also always connect to every other tile which helps keep turns moving by not having tiles you can’t play due to an ineligible path. Overall this is a very easy, smooth game to learn and play.

VISUAL APPEAL

The Asian theme of Dragon and Phoenix is very well captured and makes for a very beautiful looking game. The art is well done and the function of the game fits well with it. That being said I don’t see the art or the game needing each other to work, but that doesn’t change that they do go well together. Lastly, the tiles pretty much just function and don’t bring much to the table here beyond a little sand texture hinting at Asian Zen gardens.

RULES COMPREHENSION

I love simple rules! This game has a one sided document to explain the rules. They read fairly quick and have a good amount of images to assist in comprehension. There are two Advanced rules, Player Elimination Bonus and Pass the Pile. Player Elimination Bonus is fun and adds a little bit more strategy by getting a choice of the eliminated player’s tiles but as stated earlier it isn’t very easy to maintain any control over someone else’s path. So, I haven’t been able to see the bonus received too often. Pass the Pile isn’t really an “Advanced Rule”, it is more just an offered method to remind players to draw after playing a tile. I don’t find the need in having this in the Advance Rules section unless it is meant to entirely replace your hand of tiles.

PACKAGING

The packaging is good. It doesn’t take up too much space compared to what you get inside the box. I do feel that the quad fold board is what makes the box the size it is as everything thing else could fit in a much smaller box. The cardboard insert does hide some dead space.

ENJOYABLE

Tsuro is a great filler game. It is quick and easy to learn while being equally quick and easy to play. It has a very nice balance of luck and strategy making it fun for kids and adults to play together without guaranteeing adult victory every time, sometimes the tiles are not your friends. I cannot emphasize enough that the quick play time makes for a nice enjoyment sweet spot between victory and loss. Oh darn, you lost. Play again, try again and keep having fun!

SCORING