Wend-Loop is a game where two or more players must score by creating
loops by placing the game’s tile cards on the table. A player wins by gaining
the most points when all tiles run out, or when all other players have been
eliminated. Players play their cards one at a time in clockwise order, while
keeping a hand of three cards hidden from other players at all times (when a
card is placed, you must take another from the deck).
The goal of the game is simply to gain the most points. You
gain points by completing loops; the amount of points gained per loop is based
on how many tiles create the loop.
The
space of the game in loop is player made. Tiles are never predetermined, and
vary in experience every time due to variety of loop tiles. As the game
progresses, the play space becomes increasingly larger, with loops and trails
becoming more complex. Interestingly, the game incorporates player pieces, but
they seem to only exist in order to keep track of which trail you are trying to
loop since you can only work on one loop at a time. This is supported by the
fact you MUST put down a new tile every turn, but moving your player piece is
optional. When you have completed a loop, you must move your player piece to an
adjacent trail in order to start anew. Loop is especially flexible, as you add
more players, you have the option to print out more tiles to play with. The
game truly Print and Play friendly.
Wend-Loop’s core mechanic is simplistic fun: You place tiles with
different trail patterns to create a whole loop. Simple loops can be easy to
pull off with as little as four pieces, however long and elaborate loops can
take up an entire game-space. While playing, I won the match by simply building
a convoluted trail made of 28 pieces. The second place player was confident in
making three loops, however the total of those was only 16.
This
enables players to approach the game with multiple strategies. You can play
quickly, adding small loops to win, or you can have a more methodical strategy
that spans the entire length of a match. Understanding what approach to take is
one of skill, knowing how to perceive what tiles are on the table in relation
to your own, but also chance in trusting each new card you draw aids in your
goal.
This
is combined with the ability for players to sabotage their opponents. You are
not limited to where you place tiles as long as it is a legal placement (trails
must match trails of adjacent cards). This means you can effectively foil your
opponent’s prospective loops, causing them to rethink their strategy and giving
you the upper hand. Players can be eliminated when they can no longer add legal
tiles, but they still keep their points.
A
players actions are simple to learn and execute. Operatic actions include only
moving your player piece along your loop as you place tiles, or shifting them
to a new loop once your loop is finished. Far more important to loop is
resultant actions, as placing down tiles is an action that requires plan and
forethought (if you play the game correctly).
Tiles
and player pieces are the only objects involved in Wend-Loop. Once taken from a
player hand of three and placed on the table, they are now a part of the
Wend-loop map and permanent. Player pieces move in any direction along one
trail with each turn, if the player feels necessary, or shift to alternate
trails only when they are completely looped.
Notes
on Wend-Loop’s rules and mechanics
- Wend-Loop was actually my second choice for a pnp game analysis. The first game very vague rules, and too many of them.
- Wend-Loop is successful in its simplicity. The tiles are a bit boring, but they are clear and obvious.
- There is one rule that seems odd to me: player extermination. It is briefly touched upon in 3 pages of rules, which are 3 pages because everything is otherwise over explained. I feel player extermination is the result of an oversight in game design.
- Wend-Loop is more fun the more you play. Early in the game it feels a bit hollow, but as the game space increases, things become more interesting and surprising. Being able to sabotage other players adds another element of fun.
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/73172/wend-loop
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