Clever Cubed (2020) Board Game

Clever Cubed is the third installment in the popular Clever series of board games designed by Wolfgang Warsch. It was released in 2020 by Schmidt Spiele and has quickly gained a reputation for being a challenging and engaging dice game that combines luck and strategy.

Game Components of Clever Cubed

Dice: Six differently colored dice, with one white die acting as a wild die.

Score Sheets: Multiple score sheets with various sections for different colors and scoring mechanisms.

Pens: Included for marking the score sheets.

Art and Design: Simple, yet clear and readable graphic design for the score sheets and boxes.

How To Setup Clever Cubed

To set up the game, each player receives a score sheet and a pen. The six dice are ready to be rolled. There is no complex initial setup required, as the game primarily revolves around rolling the dice and marking the corresponding spaces on the score sheets.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Rolling: Players roll six dice and choose one to keep, setting aside lower-numbered dice.

Score Marking: The chosen die is marked on the score sheet in a specific section based on its color and the order it was chosen.

Combo Chains: Players can create combos by marking boxes that trigger additional marks and bonuses.

Scoring Areas: The score sheet includes five colored areas (yellow, brown, pink, blue, and grey) each with unique scoring rules.

Yellow: Mark numbers in specific rows.

Brown: Cross off numbers in a specific order to earn bonuses.

Pink: Write numbers with optional multipliers and bonuses.

Blue: Combine values with the white die, following specific number sequences.

Grey: Mark spaces to earn rewards and fox symbols.

Game Objective: Score more points than opponents by strategically marking spaces and leveraging bonuses and combos.

Player Experience

Clever Cubed offers a dynamic and engaging experience, especially for fans of the roll and write genre. The game’s simplicity in rules contrasts with its depth in strategy, making it challenging yet rewarding. Players enjoy the satisfaction of setting up long combo chains and navigating the different scoring mechanisms. The game is compact and easy to play solo, making it a great addition to any game collection.

Pros

Compact and Easy to Play: Perfect for quick gaming sessions or solo play.

Deep Strategy: Offers a lot of strategic depth despite simple rules.

Combo Chains: Very satisfying to set up and execute combos.

Good Quality Components: High-quality wooden dice and clear score sheets.

Versatile: Suitable for 1-4 players.

Cons

Complex Scoring: Some players might find the scoring mechanisms convoluted.

Not Suitable for Younger Players: Recommended for players 14+ due to complexity.

Steep Learning Curve: Initial games may be confusing due to the various scoring rules.

Personal Thoughts on Clever Cubed

Clever Cubed is ideal for fans of roll and write games and those who enjoy strategic gameplay with a touch of luck. It is particularly suited for players who have experience with the previous games in the series but is still accessible to new players willing to learn. While it may not be the best fit for family gatherings with younger children, it is a great addition to any board game collection for more serious gamers.

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