MixUp

From: Out of the Box Publishing Inc.

Reviewed by: Ron McClung

MixUp is a new abstract strategy game from Out of the Box Publishing Inc.

MixUpis a simple tile-based family game where the player attempts to line up four of his shapes or colors before his opponent. One player tries for shapes while the other tries for colors. In the style of Connect Four,this game has a board where the person slides the tile down one of several shafts that form a 7-by-7 grid of tiles. This game is like Connect Four, but a whole lot more.

From the website:“This illusive two-player strategy game takes only seconds to learn and minutes to play.”

Player first choose the “side” they are on – either shapes or colors. The tiles have colored shapes on them. They are either green, red, or blue and moon, raindrop, or lightning bolt. The tiles are laid out face up for the players to choose from. They slide them down the columns on the grid trying to “connect four” either diagonally, vertically or horizontally, or make a 2-by-2 square. The color player focuses on the colors while the shape player focuses on the shapes.

In conclusion,the game is fairly challenging overall. Not only is does the nature of the colors vs. shape make the game somewhat surreptitious, but also the fact that you tend to focus on the four-in-a-row aspect so much that the 2-by-2 square kind of sneaks up on you. The fact that both players are using the same pieces really makes it challenging because you think you are helping yourself out but you might be helping your opponent out as well. It is a fast play game and very easy to learn. It is a fun little game for two players who have time to kill. Also, the quality of the game is very impressive, especially for the price. It is good value.

For more details on Out of the Box Publishing Inc. and their new abstract strategy game “MixUp” check them out at their website http://www.otb-games.com, and at all of your local game stores.

MixUp

From: Out of the Box Publishing Inc.

Type of Game: abstract strategy game

Original Game Design by: Maureen Hiron

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: 2 page rule sheet

Game Components Included: 54 game tiles, 1 shape marker, 1 color marker, game board with storage, easy play rules

Retail Price: $ Type Dollar Value (US)

Retail Price: $ Type Dollar Value (Can)

Number of Players: 2

Player Ages: 8 years+

Play Time: 15-20 minutes

Website: www.otb-games.com

Reviewed by: Ron McClung