From: Out of the Box Publishing Inc.
Reviewed by: Ron McClung
CoverUp is a new abstract strategy game from Out of the Box Publishing Inc.
CoverUp is a game where players attempt to form a row of four of their disks before the other player does the same. The game board is made up of a 5-by-5 grid of “wells” that can fit three levels of disks – one small, one medium and one large. The players attempt to win by placing disks in these “wells” or holes.
From the website: “This deceptive two-player strategy game takes only seconds to learn and minutes to play.”
Each player has 12 disks, 3 large, 4 medium, 5 small. As said, the board is made up of a 5-by-5 gird of holes that can fit one small, one medium and one large disk. In turn, players can place disks in any slot with certain restrictions and in fact some disks can be moved after placement. In the first turn, the center space can not be taken by the first player. Any size disk can be placed anywhere as long as that size space is open. Medium and large pieces can be placed on top of smaller pieces. Small and medium disks can not be moved after placement but large disks can. However, if you pick up a large disk and underneath is an opponent’s disk and that disk completes a four-in-a-row, then the game ends.
In conclusion, this game goes along with its partner MixUp as a deceptively simple game with several interesting facets. It too harkens back to the classic game Connect Four but goes far beyond that. The number and types of disks is key to play, forcing players to use the large disks to move around and attempt a win. This game is another easily learned and quickly played “filler” game if you have time to kill. Like its partner, it too is of high quality and is a good value.
For more details on Out of the Box Publishing Inc. and their new abstract strategy game “CoverUp” check them out at their website http://www.otb-games.com, and at all of your local game stores.
CoverUp
From: Out of the Box Publishing Inc.
Type of Game: abstract strategy game
Original Design by: Rudell Design
Game Design by: Matt Mariani, Mark Alan Osterhaus, Al Waller, Ellen Winter
Developed by: Tom Strom
Graphic Design by: John Kovalic, Cathleen Quinn-Kinney
Number of Pages: 3 page rule sheet
Game Components Included: 12 maroon disks, 12 grey disks, game board with storage, full color rules
Retail Price: $ 19.99 (US)
Number of Players: 2
Player Ages: 8 years+
Play Time: 15-20 minutes
Website: www.otb-games.com
Reviewed by: Ron McClung