Background
The board game KaBoom is a dexterity board game aimed at families. The object of the game is to take turns building towers matching those shown on cards on the table.
The game contains well-made colored blocks that differ in both size, shape, and color. While the timer is running, you quickly chose one or more tiles on the table and try to stack the colored blocks up to match those tiles.
Meanwhile your opponents try to knock down your towers. Each player is armed with a lever-like piece of wood and several dice. While you try to quickly stack the available blocks, they whack their lever, attempting to fling their dice at your tower, and hilarity ensues! Points are scored for completing towers before the time runs out.
When the kids came over for dinner on Father’s Day, we finally had a chance to play KaBoom. Thorn the Dragonborn and Bitzy the Bard had differing options on the game.
The duel is on!
BB:Well I must say that was the craziest game I’ve played in a long time. Let’s all randomly chuck dice around.
TD: I know that’s what I loved about it.
BB:Seriously?
TD: What? I thought you loved puzzles.
BB:I do. I liked the puzzle aspect of the game. It reminded me of the old game Perfection, which was one of my favorites as a child.
TD: Yes. And it adds in competition from other players trying to sabotage you.
BB:But that’s what so annoying. It’s one thing to be racing against a clock. But when it’s other players trying to mess you up, it’s just irritating.
TD: No, that’s the fun part. Aiming the dice is so difficult in this game that if anyone ever does manage knock your tower over, it’s an event.
BB:I know why you like it. It’s like that lawn game Kuub you like.
TD: Yes. And I always win that one too!
BB:Well, I have to admit the component quality is very good. It’s just the randomness I hate. And you know how easily startled I am.
TD: I’ve seen kids have a great time with this game, and I know I like it.
BB:So I think we can agree that for the right audience this is a good fit but for others it’s a miss.
TD: Agreed!
