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Quick Look: Way of Thinking
Designer: Pawel Owsianka aka “A Father of 1”
Artist: Pawel Owsianka
Publisher: 2PO Games
Year Published: 2024 (live on Kickstarter currently, printing 2024)
No. of Players: 2-8
Ages: 11+
Playing Time: 10 minutes/player
Foreword:
Pawel reached out to see if I’d be interested in playing the game and writing about it. We met up soon thereafter on Discord and hit the virtual table via TTS. Though the game was explained by Pawel to be better at higher player counts, I feel the 2-player game was no different of an experience than I would have had at different counts. Each player takes a turn making a puzzle while the other(s) solve it. At higher player counts, you can work together to accomplish this. However, I found no difficulties in coming up with the answer so I actually preferred the higher difficulty of working alone.
From the Publisher:
In Way Of Thinking players will use random word cards to create logical sequences of words.
Each player will reveal the first and the last word of their sequence and remaining players will have 2 attempts to correctly guess the middle cards.
Players will score points collectively for each word they guessed.
Will you get the perfect score?
Disclaimer: The publisher played the digital version of Way Of Thinking. The opinions expressed in the review are completely my own.
Review:
Initial Impression/Components:
I played a digital version and cannot make a comment on the physical components or quality of the game. However, since I saw what should be the complete art, and it is mainly card based, I’d expect it to be industry standard quality. Based on the price point, I would not assume it to contain premium quality components. The art itself was very simple and crude, but it served the purpose. It’s a word game and spending a bunch of time and/or money on art wouldn’t have really had a point. So, I’ll say it’s very basic art, but it doesn’t harm the game.
Favorite:
I liked the hint tokens and how they each have a specific utility use rather than just a generic hint. For example one token might declare that a card is in the exact correct place, while another can show the card has to move to a word in a different row on that card. It was a nice way to control the use of hints.
Least Favorite:
It wasn’t really hard enough for my taste. At two players, the game is as hard as it’s going to be, so I made some internal choices to make it harder if I played again in the future:
1) No changing cards, you have to use what you have.
2) use timed turns to set up and guess
3) take turns guessing alone
4) deal out more cards and try to make longer chains such as 7,8,9, or 10 cards.
5) if at that point it was still too easy, then no hints.
Mechanics:
– Word Game
– Cooperative
– Hidden Movement
– Deduction
Rules:
The rules are pretty basic, take your cards, and use a word on each to make a set of associations in private. Then show where you started and ended and shuffle the cards in between. Other players work together and attempt to determine which words you used and in what order to make the train of thought.
Here is a link to an online pdf version of the rules:
Areas they did well:
– Good selection of word choices
– Nice use of hints
– Cooperative word game
– Player card/grid
– Hidden play
– Ever changing puzzle to solve
Areas they could have improved:
– A little bit more effort into the art and presentation
– More difficulty
– Could easily make a competitive mode
Interesting moment:
We played a 2-player variant where you have 3 minutes to guess and arrange the set. You may freely use hints during that time (still max of 3) but I liked how it added an extra edge to it. I got the chain pretty quickly but it added a layer of fun for me where I had something new to beat. I can play again and again trying to beat my speed each time. That’s a new and interesting addition to the game
Overall:
I thought it was a pretty standard word game that, like others, have a couple of little twists to put a new spin on it. I did like the puzzle of trying to guess what someone else thought and in what order but I do wish aside from the above-mentioned time variant, it had something more challenging added in. If I get a physical copy, I will definitely try longer chains, or my own variants. Such as instead of throwing out the last card you don’t use, leave it with the cards you can use to guess and make the opponents determine which one doesn’t belong. I’d be interested how that would throw everything for a loop!
Final Thoughts:
I think this is a good family game for parents and kids to enjoy together or even to use as a teaching aid for problem solving, logic, and connections. It’s an interesting puzzle; like a brainstorm players must make into a single line. The campaign is live on Kickstarter at the time of posting this review. Feel free to check it out using the link below.
I’ll see you next time, back here at The Game Table,
Brad Hiscock, aka Zerility
Did you get it based on our review? Please comment below letting us know!
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