Pyramid of Pengqueen review

Game review – Pyramid of Pengqueen

Mechanics: Hidden movement, roll and move, one vs many

Game difficulty: easy

Game duration: 30 min

Number of players: 2-5

Best number of players: 3-4

During the dark fall and winter months, it's not uncommon to want to play a scarier game with your family, but there are few games that are suitable for all ages. This time, the game review is about one of Brain Games' newest games - the cute and a little creepy Pyramid of Pengqueen.

Subject matter

It turns out that Ice Cool's penguin education system has consequences, and the fun penguins keep getting into trouble. This time they are dealing with a mummy whose pyramid is being searched for hidden treasure, but the treasure hunt can lead to great danger. I really like the original theme and restrained style, I'm glad that Brain Games continues the story about ice, winter and the already well-known penguins. The theme is palpable in the game. The treasure hunters have to be really scared of the mummy, while the mummy has to puzzle over where all the sparrows really are.

Components

The game is based on a large area that cleverly attaches to the game box and forms a double-sided treasure map, controlled by the penguins on one side and the mummy on the other. Game components are of good quality, colorful and relevant to the theme. I also see a couple of problems here. The magnetic penguin templates are very small, which could make it difficult to play with something like an omei, but I assume this is so that the magnets can be functionally captured by the mummy. Also, a three-dimensional area is very nice, but it can also have difficulties. In the game, you have to think about the placement of the light in the room, because the standing square can quite naturally cast a disturbing shadow to one side. However, the small problems are not critical and in general the game is quite high-quality both visually and in terms of components.

Mechanics

Players represent two sides - the penguins and the mummy. The task of the penguins is to collect 5 different treasures, while the task of the mummy is to catch the penguins a certain number of times. Penguin players each roll a certain number of dice that allow them to move 1 to 4 spaces. The goal is to get to certain treasures that are randomly drawn at the beginning. A player can roll an unlimited number of times, but one of the faces of the dice has a mummy symbol on it, which causes the die to close and gives mummy players extra moves.

The mummy player, on the other hand, has his own die, which allows him to move and try to catch one of the players. The mummy side player doesn't know where the penguins are until they discover one of the treasures. But penguin players can see exactly where the mummy is. This creates a very exciting cat-and-mouse feel, as the game often has you holding your breath and watching the mummy player pass the penguin but still not catch it. On the other hand, the mummy player has an exciting opportunity to calculate and try to deductively calculate the direction where the refugees disappeared.

The game is won either by the penguin who collects 5 different treasures first or by the mummy who catches the penguins a certain number of times.

Multiplayer

The interaction is mostly between players, so multiplayer is sufficient. Players find themselves in slightly different situations each time. Sometimes the placement of the treasures is inconvenient, other times the dice roll affects the situation.

Rating

Overall, I think Pyramid of Pengqueen is a successful and fun family game to whip up quickly together on a weekday evening. I think that this game will be a big hit in families with smaller children, because it successfully combines several pleasant elements - interesting choices for both adults and children, a bit tense and equal opportunities for everyone.

You can buy the game in Brain Games stores on the 1st floor of Rīga Plaza or K. Barona Street 55, or in the online store*: Pyramid of Pengqueen

Board Game Geek rating: 6.9

Author: Kristaps Auzāns

Images courtesy of Brain Games and Board Game Geek

* Free delivery throughout Latvia. Take part in the lottery when shopping in the online store "Shop and win!