A little game to take anywhere...

Last post I wrote briefly about the fact gamers like to categorise games. Over the next 5 posts I will review 5 games that fill subjective categories; the category titles are a little more descriptive of the context I think the games would suit. This is the first of the 5, a favourite game of mine:

A little game to take anywhere:

Fairy Tale

Published by Z-Man Games.

Designed by Satoshi Nakamura.

Fairy Tale is a short playing and quite simple card game.  Players draft cards into their hands over a series of 5 ‘pass and keep a card’ turns.  Once each player has drafted their hand of 5 cards, players simultaneously play a card, applying any card effects, then a second, with effects and a third.  The final two cards in a player’s hand are discarded.

The goal of the game is to end with the most points worth of cards face up. Simple. However, there is more than that to the game.  The card effects can cause players to turn cards face down, and allow them to turn them face up.  Most importantly is the fact that most cards are a part of a scoring network, cards feed off each other for points, some multiply their score by the number of cards of that type you have face up, others tie into different cards and score points if you also have x or y.

Cards can be used to force other players to turn cards face down, but the most important form of interaction in the game comes in the drafting phase - defensively taking cards that will score well for the player next to you is important.  Of course you also want to take the cards that will score you points.  This is the ‘horns of dilemma’ players must choose between, taking cards that benefit themselves, and taking cards that benefit others.

Once a player is familiar with the game and the card effects (something that doesn’t take more than a short game or two), games of Fairy Tale can be played from beginning to end in 15 minutes or less.  It’s not the deepest and richest tapestry of choice out there in the world of card games, but it is a fun little game, where choices directly impact what’s happening in the game, and is a highly enjoyable filler.  The small box, easy rules, and fun dynamic game-play make this the little game I take anywhere.




5 other games worth a mention for this category:

• Ra: The Dice Game
• Coloretto
• Roll Through the Ages
• Court of the Medici
• R-Eco

If you have any little games to take anywhere feel free to post them in the comments below!


(edited to add publisher and designer)


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