Young fans of fantastic stories, rejoice: Quebec publisher Gladius has thought of you with a game combining witchcraft, goblins and fire-breathing reptiles! Quebecer Thomas Wilson had the idea of a magical universe where dragons are on the verge of extinction. To ensure the survival of the species, the player-heroes must carry a dragon egg across four kingdoms filled with evil creatures…
The heroes must fight these villains with dice, advance on a course strewn with pitfalls, but also collect treasures and magical objects that will help them in their mission. The winner ? He will become the first of the BloodDragons line…
The fantastic theme is superbly deployed in this very well thought-out game, perfect for introducing young people to the mechanics of dice battles. Please note: two children’s novels set in this same universe have already been published. Others will follow, the publisher promises us.
Number of players: 2 to 4 Ages: 8 and up Duration: 30 to 60 minutes Price: $50
The Masked Scorpion revisits the successful Zero to 100 formula, but by multiplying the scale by 10 and adding a few variations. Once again, this involves estimating the value of the question written on one of our cards in hand so as to get as close as possible to the target value placed in the center of the table. When all players have chosen their card, the results are revealed and the player with the lowest estimate must draw a new card. When a player ends up with only one card in hand, he wins.
However, the power cards are different from those of Zero to 100, notably the one which allows you to play two question cards by choosing to add or subtract their value.
“It’s really fun, and the questions aren’t easy,” emphasizes our tester-cook during an autumn hunting trip. It’s quick, simple, effective, the kind of aperitif game that you can play before taking on a big game.” We also learn a lot by playing Zero at 1000, which is certainly more difficult than its little brother Zero at 100. “The challenge is greater because we don’t know large numbers very well,” our photographer colleague rightly points out. We quickly lose the scale of big numbers. » It is indeed easy to miss the target!
Number of players: 2 to 12 Age: 12 and up Duration: 15 minutes Price: $20
Charles Darwin needs help writing his famous work The Origin of Species. How can I help him? By collecting information on rarely visited continents during his trip aboard the Beagle. Each player must collect species, classify them cleverly in their naturalist notebook and publish various theories to hope to be crowned winner.
A game with a very (very) successful visual and easy to assimilate rules, where it is possible to learn while having fun. An appendix provided in the box offers some anecdotes on the various animals in the game and on Darwin’s mythical journey around the globe. A feast for the eyes and neurons of naturalists of all ages.
Number of players: 2 to 5 Age: 8 and up Duration: 30 minutes Price: $50
Many people know the mechanics of the Dixit game, where you have to associate an often impressionistic image with a word thrown by an opponent. Which card most evokes fear? The trip ? Old age ? The game has proven itself: more than 12 million copies have been sold since its creation in 2008.
What’s special about this version? She is set in the wonderful world of Disney. Here, the images feature well-known characters, not just children. Think Peter Pan, Snow White, Pocahontas, or Belle. For the occasion, the pawns have taken on funny and colorful shapes, and the game board is to match.
In short, we are not reinventing the concept (why change a winning formula?), but by opting for characters known to children, their discovery of the game is undoubtedly facilitated. A great introduction to a game that still deserves to be known.
Number of players: 3 to 6 Ages: 8 and up Duration: 30 minutes Price: $55
