So what did they send? Well, let's start with the obvious!
I'll be completely honest. At first I didn't see the greatness of this game. I thought the kids would enjoy it, but it would be pretty boring for me. Boy was I wrong! Haha! I had just as much fun as the kids did! And there was a LOT of laughing going on during this game! Basically, one player is the hall monitor penguin and the other players are student penguins. The students try to move through doorways (by flicking your penguin) in order to capture fish for a snack before the hall monitor catches you for skipping class!
What I loved:
1.) It has quality components that are well thought out! The game comes with nesting cardboard trays that are used to make up the school. The penguins are like little Weebles! (Remember Weebles? Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down!) Well these work the same way! They rock back and forth, but stay upright because of the weight in the bottom.
2.) It's fun for all ages! - We played the game with ages 5 to 41 and everyone had a blast!
3.) Its challenging! - It may look simple, but those little buggers don't always move the way you want them to. It takes some skill! There's definitely a learning curve. But its so fun to practice!
4.) It's a game that involves movement! - Because you have to move around the school to move your penguin, this game involves everyone being up and moving a lot. This is great for those days when you can't get outside due to inclement weather, but you'd like to give your kids something active to do! They don't have to sit around a board game or card game, but can get up and move!
The second game we received was:
This is a stand alone game, but it can also be used as an expansion for the original ICECOOL! So you can play ICECOOL2 with 2-4 people, or you can combine it with the original ICECOOL and play with 5-8 players! We did this when daddy got home from work and it worked great!
What I LOVE:
1.) The multiple ways it can be played! - I love that it can be played alone or combined with ICECOOL to expand the number of players! This was perfect for our family of 5!
2.) It comes with special tasks! - ICECOOL2 cards with a value 1 have tasks on them as well! You don't have to use the tasks, but it adds an extra layer of difficulty to the game! There are 3 possible tasks. a.) Jump over a wall, b.) pass completely through 2 doors in a single flick, or c.) bounce off a wall and through a door. But it can't happen by chance. You have to announce what task you plan to try! (Kind of like calling your shot in pool!)
3.) It comes with a separate rule book with information on combining the two games. - Not only does it have a very well made instruction booklet, but a second booklet explains combining the two games. There are even several room layouts available! And with each layout they tell you whether its best for higher or lower player counts and whether its better for beginners or advanced players.
4.) There's even a team play option! When combining ICECOOL and ICECOOL2, you can combine into teams of 2 and play the Race Game Mode!
The third game we received was:
The folks at Brain Games decided to keep with their fantastic penguin theme, and created this fun, unique game! Those same little school penguins have found a secret entrance behind some pots and pans in the school's kitchen. They've followed the path down to a cave and now they've found the Pyramid of the Pengqueen! But, OH NO! They've awaked the mummy! Now they much make it out with as much treasure as possible before the mummy catches them!
What I love:
1.) It plays up to 5 players! - We have 3 kids, so I'm always THRILLED to find a board game that will accomodate all 5 of us!
2.) It's creative and unique! The components are cute and well made. The board stands up and the mummy plays on one side while the explorers play on the other side!
3.) It involves some great decision making! - Because of the dice dynamics, this game involves some great lessons in decision making and taking chances! You can roll all the dice (including the ones that have the mummy face up, but only if you give the Mummy an extra "interrupting turn."
4.) We enjoy the "racing for treasure" dynamic! - We love other games where you race for treasures marked on your cards (and found on the gameboard). This is a rather simple board game dynamic. But Pyramid of the Pengqueen takes to another level by adding the dice rolling and decision making dynamics!
Next comes:
This game is so cute! Each person gets 5 dice to roll. They attempt to roll the 3 pieces to build a snowman and move it (by pushing it with one finger) to the North Pole (the center circle). But don't get too comfortable! There are also snowballs on the dice. And if you roll a snowball, you can flick that dice at another person's snowman to knock it over before they can get it to the North Pole! Its a load of laughs and a lot of fun!
What I love:
1.) Its small and portable. - We LOVE games! So we have lots! Its great to get a fun game in a tiny package because then I don't have to worry too much about where I'll store it. Plus, its very portable!
2.) Its simple and quick! - Although I love a nice, long boardgame full of strategy, its fun to have some simple, quick games!
3.) Kids can play without adults! - Sometimes I just can't join in on a game. Usually due to the enormous piles of laundry or dishes that are piling up. Haha! So it's great to have some games that are simple enough for the kids to play by themselves! And also, it's great to have games that don't take up tons of space! This one fits both of those needs perfectly!
Lastly, we received:
OK, folks! If you want to test your family relationships and communication, play Team3! Haha! Its a cooperative game where you're trying to build the pattern on the pattern card. The only problem? Only 1 team member can see the card, but they can't talk! They have to gesture to team member 2 - who can't tough the pieces. Team member 2 has to give verbal directions to team member 3 on how to build the pattern. But team member 3 has their eyes closed and can't see! Its definitely a hilarious challenge!
What I love:
1.) It's a puzzle game! - I can't help it. I love a good puzzle! Haha!
2.) It really makes you think outside of the box! Its tough to communicate without talking! It's tough to give someone else instructions without getting in there to help. And its tough to build something with your eyes closed!
3.) It can be scaled and changed to work on other skills! - After we played the actual game, my 5 year old sat there for quite a while and just worked on pattern recognition by building the patterns on the different cards. You could also use this in a foreign language class by making team member 2 give instructions in the foreign language! You could also use this in a speech class to illustrate giving proper, clear instructions. So many possibilities!
We loved all of these games! They were all unique! (Except, of course, for ICECOOL and ICECOOL2. But even with those, I feel its definitely worth having both!) These games will definitely provide hours and hours of fun at our house!
I received these games, free of charge from brain Games and Luma Games, in exchange for my honest review.
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