Catchup (2010) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Catchup is a two-player abstract strategy game designed by Nick Bentley and released in in 2010. It falls under the category of Print & Play games, meaning it can be easily downloaded and printed for at-home play. The game features hexagon grid tiles and revolves around area majority/influence and tile placement mechanics.

Game Components of Catchup

Board: A hex grid with a green score track around the hexes.

Pieces: Players can use stones from games like Go or any other abstract game, or even cubes from other games.

Score Track: Keeps track of both players’ largest group sizes.

How To Setup Catchup

The game starts with an empty board. Players choose their pieces (typically white and black stones or cubes) and place them within reach. The board is a hex grid, and the score track is located around the hexes. There is no complex setup required, as the board is either printed out or accessed online.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay:
– Players alternate turns placing one or two pieces on empty hexes.
– If a player’s largest group size increases, their score on the track is updated.
– If a player ties or takes the lead, their opponent can place one, two, or three pieces on their next turn.

Objective:
– The game ends when all hexes are filled.
– The player with the largest group wins. In case of a tie, players move to their second largest group and so on until a winner is determined.

Player Experience

Catchup is known for its simplicity with deep strategic layers. The game requires only four rules to learn but offers complex interactions and tense decision-making. Players must constantly evaluate their opponent’s board state, deciding when to connect their pieces to form larger groups and when to prevent their opponent from doing so. Each game is quick, lasting about 13 minutes, and setup and teardown are almost instantaneous.

Pros

Free to Play: The game is free to print or play online.

Simple Rules: Only four rules to learn.

Difficult Decisions: Requires strategic thinking and timing.

Quick Gameplay: Games last about 13 minutes.

No Ties Possible: The game ensures a winner through its scoring mechanism.

Cons

Requires Pieces: Players need to provide their own pieces, which can be an inconvenience.

Personal Thoughts on Catchup

Catchup is an excellent addition to any game collection, especially for fans of abstract strategy games. Its simplicity belies a depth of strategy that makes it engaging for both beginners and experienced players. It’s a great game for those who enjoy quick, thought-provoking matches with a focus on timing and strategic decision-making. Despite the need to provide your own pieces, the game’s free availability and quick playtime make it a standout in its category.

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