Cir*Kis (2009) – Board Game Guys

CirKis is a piece-placing board game for two to four players, invented by Phil E. Orbanes and developed by Winning Moves Games USA in 2008. The game is based on a Penrose tiling and is played on a decagonal board with scoring pegs and a storage well for each of the four colored sets of pieces. The game is no longer in production.

Game Components of Cir*Kis

Decagonal Board: Includes scoring pegs and a storage well for each player.

80 Plastic Pieces: Divided into four identical sets of purple, red, green, and yellow, each set consisting of 20 pieces and a scoring peg.

Center Ring and Star: Central playing area with circles and stars to complete for scoring.

Sliver Pieces: Special pieces that can earn a free turn when played first.

How To Setup Cir*Kis

To set up the game, arrange the board so each player is seated behind a corner. Each player selects a set of pieces and places their scoring peg in the “0” hole near their compartment. The youngest player starts by placing a piece so that at least part of it is inside the center star or circle. Pieces must fit into the board and snap into place.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Piece Placement: Players take turns placing a piece next to the last piece played (the “Leader”), touching either by side or point.

Free Turns: Earned by completing the center star, placing the first sliver piece, or placing a piece in a space with all adjacent spaces filled.

Scoring: Points are scored by completing circles and stars, with 10 points for the majority of segments in a shape and a 5-point bonus for completing the shape.

Objective

The first player to score 40 points wins.

Alternatively, the game ends when one player plays their final piece or no further plays are possible, with the high score winning.

Player Experience

Cir*Kis offers an engaging and strategic experience, especially in the early game where players have numerous opportunities to direct the path of tiles. However, as the game progresses, the reliance on other players’ moves can make it challenging to form a long-term strategy, particularly in four-player games. The game is known for its momentum swings, keeping all players close until the end.

Pros

Engaging Strategy: Early game offers many strategic choices.

Momentum Swings: Keeps players close and engaged until the end.

Simple Rules: Easy to learn but challenging to master.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and up.

Cons

Limited Control: Players have limited control over the direction of the game, especially in four-player games.

Luck and Mistakes: Winning often relies on luck or other players making mistakes.

Dependence on Other Players: Scoring points often requires cooperation or mistakes from other players.

Personal Thoughts on Cir*Kis

Cir*Kis is an excellent choice for families or casual gamers looking for a fun and strategic game night experience. While it shares similarities with games like Blokus, its unique mechanics and scoring system set it apart. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a game with deep, long-term strategic planning due to the significant influence of luck and other players’ moves. Despite this, Cir*Kis remains an enjoyable and challenging game that can be appreciated by a wide range of players.

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