Tantrix

• Designer: Mike McManaway 
• Publisher: Gigamic
• Players: 1-6
• Age: 6+
• Time: 30 minutes
• Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3EJU5fH
• Played with review copy provided by publisher

The hexagonal tantrix tiles each have three different colour lines that must be juxtaposed while respecting the connection of the colours between them. Tantrix: solo or multi-player solo puzzle, this is a puzzle with different levels of difficulty. In collective game: – everyone focuses on their own color and tries to achieve a continuous line longer than the others while countering the strategy of their opponents! – the goal? Be the first to successfully place all your tiles. Speed and observation are essential for this game mode ideal for playing with family and up to 6 players!

Tantrix really could be viewed more as a game system than a game itself.  The set that I have includes 56 hexagonal tiles, each with a varying pattern of lines on them, always three of the four possible colors on any particular tile.  The rules state that there are over 40 suggested activities that can be played with these tiles – broken down into three broad groups: Games, puzzle-games and puzzles.

There are a few general rules that apply to every activity.  First, when you play tiles, all colors of all connecting lines must match.  Loops are formed whenever you are able to make a… closed loop of a single color.  A Gobble is created whenever there is an empty space at the edge of the play area which are surrounded by three or more tiles.

So let me explain on of the games in the ruleset – called “Tantrix”

The goal is to have the longest line or loop of your color.  Each player chooses one of the colors.  The full tileset is mixed in a bag, and each player draws out six tiles to form a face-up hand in front of them.    The player who has the highest numbered tile goes first and places any of their tiles on the table to start the game.  Then, going clockwise, players take a turn, adding at least one tile to the table.

Tiles, when played, must always fully match all sides to previously played tiles.  Hands are instantly replenished to six tiles after each play.  At the start of your turn, if a gobble space is seen on the table, it must be immediately filled.

Sometimes when you fill a gobble, you might create another one – and this new gobble must be immediately filled.   The active player then gets to make a free play, where they add a tile from their hand to the table. Again, if this creates a gobble, it must be immediately filled if possible. 

As tiles are being played, there are a few restrictions to be noted.  First, you may not create a gobble that has three lines of the same color on its sides.  Secondly, you cannot create a “double gobble” which is an empty space bordered on four sides by tiles.  Finally, you cannot play along a side controlled by a gobble – generally because you would form an inevitable double gobble situation.

Continue playing until the last tile is drawn from the bag.  Players can now ignore the three restrictions noted above and play anywhere.  When all tiles have been played, each player counts the longest line or loop in their color, and whoever has the largest one wins. 

My thoughts on the game

So interestingly, when you open the box, you do not find a “Rules Manual” but rather an “Activity Guide”.  There are so many different possibilities in how you can use these tiles, and you’re definitely not limited to just the suggestions in the book.  The game described above seems to be the way that most gamers would come into contact with this gameset.

There are lots of puzzles that can be played through as well.  One involves taking an ever enlarging set of tiles and trying to make a complete loop of a color using all the tiles.  The tiles are set up so that it is possible to accomplish the feat up to THIRTY tiles!

The ruleset also has a bunch of challenges where you attempt to make a specific picture/shape using specific tiles.  This is more of a solitaire puzzle concept, but something that can be used to while away a rainy afternoon.

There are definitely plenty of ways to use these tiles, and that versatility is why I feel that everyone will be able to find at least one activity that pleases them from this box.

Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3EJU5fH

Until your next appointment,

The Gaming Doctor