ICECOOL (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

ICECOOL is a dexterity game that was released in 2016 by Brain Games. It was designed by Brian Gomez and features artwork by Reinis Pētersons. The game has been popular among families and children due to its unique flicking mechanics and adorable penguin characters. ICECOOL has won several awards, including the prestigious Kinderspiel des Jahres in 2017.

Game Components of ICECOOL

Game Board: Composed of 5 interlocking boxes that form a penguin schoolhouse, with a clever “box in a box” system for easy storage.

Penguin Pawns: Weighted plastic penguins that stand upright, allowing for flicking and trick shots.

Fish Tokens: Color-coded tokens placed above doorways for runners to collect.

ID Cards: Dual-sided cards with male or female avatars for each player.

VP Cards: Fish-themed cards with values of 1, 2, or 3 points.

How To Setup ICECOOL

To set up the game, assemble the 5 boxes to form the schoolhouse by clipping them together with the provided fish clips. Each player chooses a color and takes their corresponding penguin, ID card, and fish tokens. The fish tokens are placed above the doorways marked with a fish icon. One player starts as the hall monitor (catcher) and places their penguin in the kitchen, while the other players start in the classroom.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Roles: One player acts as the hall monitor (catcher), while the others are runners.

Runner’s Goal: Collect three fish tokens of their color by flicking their penguin through designated doorways.

Catcher’s Goal: Catch all runners by flicking the catcher penguin to collide with them, collecting their ID cards.

Turn Mechanics: Players flick their penguins once per turn. Runners can collect fish tokens, and the catcher can catch runners. Players can earn an extra turn by revealing two “1 point” VP cards.

Round End: The round ends when a runner collects all three fish tokens or the catcher collects all ID cards. Players then draw VP cards based on the ID cards they possess.

Player Experience

ICECOOL is known for its fun and entertaining gameplay, often prompting multiple plays in a row. The game encourages skill development through various flicking techniques, allowing for straight shots, curves, and even jumps over walls. This leads to exciting moments and impressive trick shots that can draw a crowd.

Pros

High-Quality Components: The game features well-designed and sturdy components, including the nesting box system and weighted penguins.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to players of all ages.

Promotes Skill and Improvement: Players can develop their flicking skills over time, adding to the game’s replay value.

Fun and Engaging: The game is highly enjoyable, with moments of laughter and cheers.

Cons

Random Scoring: The VP cards introduce an element of randomness, which can sometimes undercut the display of skill.

Limited Board Layouts: Currently, there is only one way to set up the schoolhouse, which may reduce replay value for experienced players.

Personal Thoughts on ICECOOL

ICECOOL is a game suitable for both children and adults, offering a delightful blend of physical dexterity and strategic play. It’s ideal for families, casual game nights, or even workplace breaks due to its quick playtime and easy setup. However, the randomness in scoring and the lack of variable board layouts are minor drawbacks that do not significantly detract from the overall fun and engaging experience.

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