Ringo (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ringo is an abstract strategy board game that was released in in 2018. Designed by Bernhard Kümmelmann and featuring artwork by Steffen-Spiele, Ringo is a two-player game that is suitable for players aged 9 and up. With a runtime of about 15 minutes, Ringo offers a quick and engaging gameplay experience.

Game Components of Ringo

Game Board: Features 49 spaces of alternating light and dark colors, with a radial segment marked as the neutral zone.

Pieces: Seven black (attacker) pieces and four white (defender) pieces.

Rows: Eight concentric rings, including the citadel at the center.

How To Setup Ringo

To set up Ringo, the attacker places their seven pieces on the outermost ring, avoiding the neutral zone. The defender places their four pieces on the light-colored spaces of the innermost ring, also avoiding the neutral zone. Setup time is approximately 30 seconds.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective:
– Attacker: Win by getting two pieces into the citadel.
– Defender: Win by capturing six attacker pieces or blocking all attacker pieces from moving.

Piece Movement:
– Attacker pieces can move one step sideways or one step forward towards the citadel.
– Defender pieces can move one step sideways, or one step forward or backward on a radial segment.

Capture Rules:
– Pieces can capture via short leaps (jumping over an opponent piece) or displacements (landing on an opponent piece).
– Defender pieces can also use long leaps to capture.
– Capturing is not compulsory, and only one piece can be captured per turn.

Neutral Zone:
– Pieces in the neutral zone are immune from capture.
– The number of attacker pieces in the neutral zone cannot exceed the remaining defender pieces.

Player Experience

Ringo offers a tactical and strategic gameplay experience, requiring players to think carefully about each move. The game is fast-paced but demands deep thinking, as the attacker must navigate through the defender’s barriers to reach the citadel, while the defender must protect the citadel at all costs.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Encourages complex thinking and planning.

Quick Setup: Setup takes only 30 seconds.

Competitive: Engaging for two players with direct competition.

No Chance Involved: Purely based on strategy and tactics.

Cons

Limited Player Count: Only for two players.

Complex Rules: Although the game is simple to set up, the rules can be intricate for new players.

No Randomness: Some players may find the lack of randomness or luck elements boring.

Personal Thoughts on Ringo

Ringo is ideal for players who enjoy strategic and tactical games, particularly those who appreciate abstract strategy without the influence of chance. It’s a game that rewards careful planning and execution, making it a great choice for fans of games like Chess or Othello. However, it may not appeal to players looking for a game with multiple players or those who prefer games with elements of luck.

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