Customer Reviews

DaVinci Challenge Game

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Da Vinci's Challenge is a new abstract game published by Briarpatch Games and designed by Paul Micarelli. The game is for two or four players aged 8 to adult. The game board is a pattern of circles and triangles which forms a beautiful design known as the Flower of Life, an ancient symbol which was carved on the walls of Egyptian pyramids and later studied in depth by Renaissance man Leonardo da Vinci.

The game rules are simple. Each player is given 72 game pieces (one player is dark and one is light), divided into two shapes: triangles and ovals. The players then take turns placing each of these pieces on the board over an open space which is the same shape. Their goal is to create certain pre-designated symbols within the larger symbol and to prevent the other player from doing so. Different symbols are assigned different point values, the more difficult ones to create are naturally worth more points. The game continues until no more players can make symbols. To play with four players, simply split the players into teams of two and play using normal rules.

Strategy for the game is more complex. Some players may try to rack up large amounts of low-scoring symbols while others may try to forego the low-scoring symbols in order to try to set up some of the larger, higher-scoring symbols. Some players may play offensively, allowing other players to score in favor of setting up their own symbols. Some may play defensively, using a majority of their moves to block other players from playing their symbols. The best strategy is probably to play a combination of low and high-scoring symbols and a combination of offense and defense. However, take your time and figure out which strategy works for you.

Davinci's Challenge is an amazing game. Our family owns many games, and DaVinci's Challenge is the top strategy game. It is fun to play, and will take years to even come close to mastering. My wife considers me the top strategist gamer in the house, yet she beats me half the time.

One caveat...the board. The board should have been constructed differently. There are so many small pieces that it is easy to accidentally bump/nudge the board and lose track of where dozens upon dozens of tiny pieces were located.

The board should have a plastic base, with tiny grooved edges ala Blokus.

Gameplay takes at least 30 minutes.

The object of this game is to replicate ancient Egyptian patterns shown on a sheet that comes with the game. The patterns correspond to different point values (set forth for your convenience on the score sheets that also come with). But, you can use your move to build your own patterns or to block your opponents. That's where the tricks come in. (hehehe) My husband and I got this game for ourselves; we have also played it with a 9 year old. We have all loved it.

Also, it is beautifully made of wood -- it looks so classic I don't mind if it gets left lying around the living room!!

I take issue with the manufacturer's stated age recommendation of 8+. I believe it is misleading -- while the 9 year-old we played it with loved it, she is unusually mathematically gifted. My husband is a pretty serious gamer, good at the sort of abstract spacial reasoning required here, and *he* finds it hard! But hard in a good way.

I also take issue with the description of the game as for 4 players. It is a 2 player game. In theory it could be played with teams, but in practice teams are unwieldy because you need to point to the board.

Notwithstanding those nits, I strongly urge you to buy this game for a child 10 plus. It *must* help develop math skills. And it's fun!

This game is amazing! I'll admit that I've only played it once, but I am definately going to get it. The game features a pattern of circles that form spaces of ovals and triangles. Players place pieces in these spaces to create set patterns. The game starts simple, but quickly becomes challenging and very thought-stimulating. The game can get extremely strategic, attempting to create complex patterns while blocking your opponent from doing so. Overall, it's a very fun, challenging game.

We love this game, I have children ages 4 to 16 and they all "play" with it. I purchased it because I was looking for some good games that use patterns. In my study of child and adult education it has become apparent that patterns are a very important part of life and working with them helps develop thinking strategies for math and problem solving. This game is engaging, addicting and in my opinion, educational.
BTW - I really like playing it too. It is quick, requires thinking and is different every time.

My daughter and I played for the first time yesterday. The game takes a minute to learn: black and white pieces, two shapes total in each color, place pieces to make shapes and block opponent from making shapes. It is simple, yet abstract, and requires strategy. I can imagine getting very studious, as in chess, about placing a piece. I think this game has the potential to explode in popularity. I'm still thinking about it and wanting to study the potential patterns and learn strategies.

The downside...the board STINKS!!! It is plain cardboard with the game printed on it. This game MUST have a board that holds the shapes in place!!! The placement of the plastic pieces is extremely important. This is a visual game so even a slight movement of the pieces out of place makes it very difficult too visual potential moves.

The first thing I did after playing was go online to search for a Davinci Challenge DELUXE with a board to hold the pieces in place (and maybe some nice wood shapes). I hope the company spends some time developing a board that enhances this game. I think I could become addicted and even try to play both sides against myself...but the sliding of the pieces out of place is SUCH a turn off since their placement is of such extreme importance, its possible this game could end up at the Goodwill.

....On a side note, I think I will MAKE MY OWN BOARD with shapes that will not move out of place! Easy enough! Omg, NOW I AM EXCITED!

This is a must have if you like strategy games or if you are a DaVinci fan (I mean the guy not the book). This game is a lot of fun and addicting. It does take awhile to play, at least 30 minutes. This is a great game for children 7 and older - younger kids will just play with and lose the pieces. Warning - the game does not come with extra pieces. I put mine in baggies between games to keep them from getting lost.

The thing that makes this game more interesting than most strategy games is that you are making patterns within the DaVinci circle (Flower of Life). Sounds easy, but if you have a good poker face and can easily spot patterns, you will have a good chance against some one who is a great strategist but not so good at spotting patterns. It's also a lot of fun to try out different strategies.

Very addicting and lots of fun, but don't lose the pieces.

This could be such a great game if only the board had tiny grooves for the pieces. It is really easy for the pieces to move, which makes the game harder to play. With that said I am still glad we own this game and I do like playing it with my oldest daughter.

This game is sooooo awesome. My husband and I just love it. It's strategy and creativity to the max. After our son goes to bed we usually wip it out and get a game or two in.

The game's strategy aspect is pretty decent, if simple - make various shapes (many times more than one at a time) and score points for them. It's sometimes difficult to spot the patterns or what your opponent is planning, so it requires a decent amount of thought. It is reasonably fun, but after a while (20+ minutes) I get impatient with how long the game is taking and start to get careless. While that's clearly my issue, my point is that it's not a quick game unless you agree to make it one - there are A LOT of pieces to place.

Other than that - I'll echo what others have said. This game would benefit greatly from having grooves for the pieces. It's more irritating than you might think. We don't bump the board often, but it's sometimes frustrating to get the pieces oriented correctly in tight spots. It would be worth a couple more dollars to have this be part of the game board.