This is a prototype version of the game and may not represent the final quality or look of the game. You can find more information about the upcoming Kickstarter here.
Camden Games is fast becoming one of my favorite indie design teams. Everything they make is fun. Okay, "everything" may be a big claim. I am sure their tea is lovely, but probably not that much fun. But when it comes to games, well, now you're talking!
Their latest offering comes in the nostalgia-inducing sight of a bunch of shiny, see-through plastic shapes in the form of little plastic aliens. Right out of the Space Invader video game archives. Simply as a collectible, I would want these. The fact that they can also be used for a stupidly fun game as well... take my money!
The game works incredibly easily. Each player takes a set of alien pieces in their chosen colour. Choose a suitable surface. Anything 'slidey'! I use my large mouse mat table cover or kitchen breakfast bar. The Kickstarter will give you a few options here for some amazing upgrades. But we have also tried on our laminate floor for an epic game along the hallway using the walls as the boundaries, and it worked a treat! Use whatever works for you. Part of the joy of this game is being able to play anywhere and with any size space you want.
When both players are ready, begin to set up your pieces. This must begin in unison, as this part is a race! Both players will have four "bases." Pieces in the shape of a kidney stone, with which they can shield their mothership from the imminent attacks. Along with the mothership piece itself, there will also be the attack ships. Six each. In the preview copy I had, there were also some larger attack ships. Players can set up all their pieces however they like within their third of the play area. Whatever that play area is! You will probably want to protect your Mothership with a few bases, and have your attack ships in a good line of sight ready to attack. The first to finish can then take the first shot. No arguments here, please!
When you have your turn, you can flick one of your pieces, anyone but the bases, at your opponent. Typically, you will use your attack ships to do this, but it is your choice. When you flick, do so however you want. The idea is to knock your opponent's mothership off the table. But if you do, that is not game over. Each base acts as a life for the Mothership as well as a defensive unit. When your mothership is knocked off the table, you can respawn it back on the table at the expense of any of your bases, in the exact same place as where the now removed base was previously placed. If you run out of bases and your Mothership comes off, that's it. Game over.
Games are fast, frantic, and full of laughter! Pieces will fly all over the place, screams will be heard all over the house. But ultimately, a lot of fun will be had. Ricochets, knock-ons, and double attacks will all develop as you get a little better at flicking and understanding the physics at play. It will work for all 'levels' of flicking. But no matter your ability, this is a fun game to play.
I have enjoyed this with all ages and abilities, and the one commonality I have found with all games is that within a matter of moments, I also hear laughter!
For the Kickstarter, there are all sorts of ways you can buy this. The full version comes with a full tabletop mat, table edges, UV lights to make the pieces pop, and extendable shelves to create barriers on the edge of the table. There is even a phone holder! Alternatively, you can opt for the basic version I have, or even the travel edition shown above. With two sets of playing pieces that can be conveniently taken with you anywhere you go to play on the go, at the pub, or on any surface you can find!
Dexterity games can be hit or miss. Sometimes they can be frustrating as they are just too hard. Often, they can involve intricate set-up, only for something to then quickly fall down. With Shape Invaders, you are taking a matter of seconds to go from set-up to playing, and the games themselves are incredibly quick too. If you lose, no matter, rack them up and go again.
The pieces themselves really pop. I have seen them under UV lights at a convention and they looked amazing, but even under normal lights, they are bright, vibrant, chunky, well-made, and great to flick.
As mentioned, things will fly off the table a lot! Unless you buy the table edges, of course. I have found that a small amount of damage has occurred to my pieces. I have played above a hard kitchen floor, and the pieces really do travel at a rate of knots, so this is to be expected. The damage is not significant, and it certainly does not affect the game. I have lost one piece, though. I have no idea where; my kitchen is tiny, and I looked everywhere!
I would recommend this game to anyone. In a duo, in a competition, with children, with adults, at home, down the pub; it really doesn't matter. This game is simply light in strategy, but oh so fun! I really enjoy playing games like this sometimes. I am in the hobby largely for the heavy euros that make me think. But I also want to find the time for games that simply bring joy; and Shape Invaders does that so well. Well worth checking out if you like any type of flicking/dexterity experience.
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