Ominoes (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ominoes, released in 2016, is an abstract strategy board game designed by Andrew Harman and published by Albi. It is a game for 2-4 players, with a best gameplay experience for 2 players. The game combines elements of dice rolling, grid movement, pattern recognition, and push your luck mechanics.

Game Components of Ominoes

Custom dice (referred to as “Ominoes”) with four faces matching the players’ colors and two special faces: “Yay-Ra” and “Ominotep”.

Game board featuring a grid.

Player tokens or markers in four different colors (Horus – green, Ra – yellow, Apep – red, Khepri – blue).

Rulebook.

How To Setup Ominoes

To set up Ominoes, each player selects a color and places two Ominoes of their color on the board. The game begins with each player having two of their colored Ominoes already on the board. The remaining Ominoes are kept in a pool for future use.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Roll: Roll an Ominoe to determine the action.

Move: Move an Ominoe on the board that matches the rolled color exactly three spaces.

Place: Place the rolled Ominoe on the board.

Special Actions:
– “Yay-Ra” allows moving any Ominoe on the board three spaces.
– “Ominotep” allows rerolling any Ominoe already on the board and returning it to its original position.

Game Objective

The objective is to collect groups of four or more Ominoes of the same color to score points. The first player to reach 13 points (or 21 points in a two-player game) wins.

Player Experience

Ominoes is a fast-paced game that encourages strategic thinking and tactical play. Players must balance their own scoring opportunities with disrupting their opponents’ plans. The game excels with four players, as the board is more dynamic and filled with scoring opportunities. However, it also works well with fewer players, requiring adjustments in strategy to block opponents’ scoring attempts.

Pros

Quick to Learn: Simple rules make it easy for new and experienced gamers to start playing immediately.

High Replayability: The combination of luck and strategy ensures each game is unique.

Interactive: Players are constantly involved in the game, trying to score and disrupt opponents.

Social: Encourages interaction and light-hearted competition among players.

Cons

Luck Element: The roll of the dice can introduce randomness, which may frustrate some players.

Board Congestion: The game can stall if the board becomes too congested and players wait for specific rolls.

Personal Thoughts on Ominoes

Ominoes is perfect for players who enjoy light, quick games with a mix of luck and strategy. It’s ideal for those who don’t mind a bit of randomness and enjoy the social aspect of playing with friends. The game is particularly suited for families or casual game groups looking for something fun and engaging without the need for complex rules or long playtime. If you’re looking for a game that’s easy to teach, plays quickly, and offers a good balance of strategy and luck, Ominoes is an excellent choice.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.