Box cover of the board game Blokus, featuring a colorful diamond pattern and multiple award badges, with the tagline "A strategy game for the whole family." Visible labels include a choking hazard warning and the Educational Insights brand logo.
| | | | | | |

Blokus (2000)

ByMichail

Blokus

Blokus is an abstract strategy board game for two to four players, where players try to score points by occupying most of the board with pieces of their color. The game was invented by French designer Bernard Tavitian and hit the market around the year 2000. The game has won several awards, including the Mensa Select award in 2003. Blokus has since been adapted into various versions, including Blokus Duo, which is for two players only and uses a smaller board.

Why is Blokus Popular?

Blokus is a popular game due to its simple rules and challenging gameplay. It is a hobby game that is easy to learn but difficult to master, making it appealing to both casual and serious gamers. The game has also been praised for its educational benefits, as it helps players develop spatial reasoning and critical thinking skills.

Game Components of Blokus

  • Grid-patterned game board
  • Game rules
  • Four-colored game tiles (each player has 21 pieces of varying shapes using one to five square patterns).

    How To Setup Blokus

    To set up Blokus, each player chooses a color and takes all the pieces of that color. The first piece must be placed in one of the four corners of the board. In the case of Blokus Duo, which is designed for two players, the first pieces must cover specific marked areas on the board.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Game Objective:** The goal is to play all of your pieces onto the board, following the rule that each piece must touch a previously placed piece by only a corner, and not by any flat edges.
  • Piece Placement:** Players take turns placing one piece at a time, ensuring corner-to-corner contact with their previous pieces.
  • Scoring:** Players score 15 points if they play all their pieces, with a bonus 5 points if the last piece played is the smallest (1×1 square). Otherwise, each unused square on remaining pieces counts as -1 point.
  • Game End:** The game ends when all players cannot play any more pieces, and the player with the fewest negative points (or the most points) wins.

    Player Experience

    Playing Blokus requires strategic thinking and planning ahead. The game is simple to learn but deep in strategy, as players need to manage their pieces efficiently to maximize their space on the board. Early in the game, it’s crucial to use larger and more awkwardly shaped pieces first, as they become harder to place later on. The game encourages players to think about future turns and find ways to navigate around opponents’ pieces.

    Pros

  • Strategic Depth:** The game offers a lot of strategic depth despite its simple rules.
  • Visual Appeal:** The translucent polyomino pieces reflect light and fit neatly into the board, making the game visually appealing.
  • Quick Gameplay:** Games are typically completed in 15-20 minutes, making it a quick and engaging experience.

    Cons

  • Interference from Other Players:** The game can be influenced significantly by the actions of other players, particularly if they collaborate to block a player.
  • Travel Version Issues:** The Travel Blokus edition is too small, leading to components being knocked out of place easily, which can be frustrating.

    Personal Thoughts on Blokus

    Blokus is an excellent game for those who enjoy abstract strategy and spatial reasoning. It is particularly suited for players who like games like Tetris and are looking for a similar but distinct board game experience. While it is enjoyable with two to four players, the game shines most with four players, as it adds an extra layer of complexity and competition. For those seeking a portable version, the full-size Blokus is recommended over the Travel Blokus due to its practicality and better component quality.

    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. 

    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl