Recently, I was sent a review copy of Dimension. Dimension was designed by Lauge Luchau and published by Kosmos Games. Dimension is categorized as a Pattern building and Dexterity game. 1 to 4 players simultaneously build a pyramid structure using colored spheres following a random set of 6 ‘rules’ by drawing Task cards.
Each player has 15 spheres broken into five colors (so three of each color, Blue, White, Black, Green and Orange) and a play board designed to hold each of these spheres and allow players to build a pyramid like structure using up to 11 of the spheres at a time. (Up to seven spheres on the bottom level, up to three on the 2nd level and one sphere on a top level)
Sounds easy enough, and it is – until you add in the 6 Task Cards which will give specific instructions on the build; such as a specific number of which color of sphere you must use. A rule that a certain color of sphere must touch another color of sphere. That the total number of two color of spheres must be used (so, for example you must have exactly four spheres between both orange and white) and that a certain color of sphere can not be on top of another color of sphere or that no color sphere can be on top of a certain color of sphere.
With the 6 task cards laid out (there are handy overview tile boards to help everyone understand the task cards, you flip the timer and each player works on their own board building as quickly as they can until they’re done or the timer runs out.
Each player is then scored. You begin by assigning a point value based on the number of spheres in their build (so, from one to eleven). Then one at a time you review the 6 task cards and ensure each player followed them. For any player that didn’t follow a task card they subtract 2 points (so, up to 12 points subtracted if they didn’t follow any of them but honestly if you managed to break every rule I sorta think you should get bonus points!).
Play continues for 6 rounds and then all point totals are combined and highest point scorer wins.
I played several rounds of this game with my boys and then asked what their overall grade would be on the following scale
A, B, C, D, or F. A is a game they’d want to play all the time. Top shelf and pick it over other games consistently. C is a game they like but would only want to play it occasionally if there weren’t other games to play or revisit if it’s been a while. F is a game they wouldn’t want to play again if there were any other options.
JG (10) gave the game a B – (minus). Saying he liked the puzzle aspect of the game.
Jakey (9) gave the game an A- (minus). Saying he liked the competitive nature and how it would have a lot of variety with the random task card draws each time you play.
As for me I would also give it a B – (minus). It was a fun challenge especially playing against my boys but I’m not sure it’s a game that wouldn’t quickly wear out the novelty for me. So good fun and worth playing, but even with the variety offered by the Task cards randomly drawn I think it’s a game I would lose interest in over time.
The game components are well made and appear high quality. Though I suspect that the little padded feet you add to the player boards are likely to come loose and would suggest caution or to use a high quality adhesive wen you apply them.
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And a big Thank You to Kosmos games for sending a review copy for me and my boys to play this weekend!
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