Here's what you want: a game that takes zero time to learn, is quick to play, but engaging enough that playing it over and over at the request of your child does not send your brain into a boredom spiral.
Am I right?
That's why today I'm sharing with you my son's new favorite game. Ravensburger's Impact: Battle of Elements. First, you should know that in this house certain individuals (okay, my kid) are obsessed (obsessed, I tell you) with anything to do with the elements: earth, air, water and fire.
Note: the original Impact has been discontinued and rebranded as "Strike." We still recommend it.
He is especially intrigued when elements are combined with magical creatures, which is why last month's Mystic Market was such a hit.
Impact: Battle of Elements doesn't involve magical ingredients or creatures, but it sure packs an impact. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.)
Note: Ravensburger sent us a game to try out. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own, of course.
About Impact: Battle of Elements
Impact: Battle of Elements is a fast-paced, quick-to-play dice game for 2-5 players. The game consists of a "cauldron" and 6-sided dice featuring fire, lightning, water, wind, earth and a blank side.
Taking turns, players roll their dice in the cauldron, attempting to roll matching dice. If you roll a match, you get to keep your dice. Blank dice are removed from game play and non-matching elements are left in the cauldron. The player who lasts longest without losing all their dice is the winner.
What makes the game extra exciting is that each of the elements offers a twist to the game. At the start of the game, a player "activates" one of the elements so that when a match of that element is rolled, an action or game function is triggered.
For example, if a fire match is rolled, players race to stack their dice in order to be the one to collect the match and add it to their stash.
Another key element is that when throwing dice into the cauldron, players can attempt to transform the existing dice by knocking them over and revealing a different side. But you must do so without knocking the dice clear out of the cauldron!
Why You Should Play Impact
Impact: Battle of Elements is EXTREMELY easy to learn. This can be a bit of a relief after playing games in which you have to read the instructions several times before you get the hang of a game. You know what I am talking about!
It is also quick to play. A round of game play can take as little as five minutes. We have been fitting multiple rounds into tight spaces of time when my son needs a quick distraction. Since there is no set up to speak of, we can start playing right away and put away the game quickly when we are finished.
It is primarily a game of luck but there is a little strategy involved. Is it better to keep rolling or stay your hand? Do you try to make an impact or steer clear of the other dice? Small strategy choices can make a big impact. (There I go again! Stop me now.)
I am surprised at how enjoyable this game is for all its simplicity! Ravensburger recommends the game for ages 8 and up, but I certainly think children as young as 5 will catch on and so it makes a great family game.
Find it on Amazon: Impact: Battle of Elements
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