Connections (2012) Board Game

Connections is a board game designed by famous game designer Reiner Knizia and published by Ravensburger in in 2012. It falls under the categories of abstract strategy and puzzle games, featuring network and route building as well as tile placement mechanics. The game is suitable for 1 to 4 players, with a recommended age of 8 and above.

Game Components of Connections

Each player receives a 5×5 grid board with a pre-printed starting tile in the center.

28 tiles per player, each depicting one or more paths (narrow or wide) and a symbol for easy identification.

16 “end caps” along the edges of the board, valued at 1-3 points.

Tiles with paths exiting at two, three, or four sides, and two tiles depicting only an end cap.

How To Setup Connections

To set up the game, each player places their board in front of them. The center square of the board is pre-printed with a starting tile. Each player receives a set of 28 tiles, which are placed face-up next to their board, except for one player who mixes their tiles face-down. The game is ready to start once all tiles are distributed.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players take turns placing tiles adjacent to the center tile or a previously placed tile.

Path Continuity: A pathway must be extended with a matching path (wide or narrow).

Edge Restrictions: Tiles cannot be placed so that a pathway leads to an empty edge of another tile or the board.

Inverting Tiles: If a player cannot or chooses not to place a tile, they can invert it, allowing other pathways to flow into that space, but at a cost of one point.

End Caps: The goal is to connect pathways to as many end caps as possible, preferably the more valuable ones.

Scoring: Players lose points for each end cap they failed to connect and one point for each inverted tile.

Player Experience

Connections offers a challenging and addicting puzzle-like experience. Players must strategically place tiles to keep pathways flowing and connect them to the end caps. The game requires careful planning and observation of the remaining available tiles to ensure the right connections are made. The immediacy of wanting to improve scores makes it highly engaging, encouraging multiple plays in a row.

Pros

Engaging Gameplay: The puzzle-like quality makes the game highly addictive.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and strategic thinking.

Quick Sessions: Games are relatively short, lasting 15-20 minutes.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players of various ages and skill levels.

Cons

Learning Curve: Simple rules but challenging execution.

Tile Dependency: Success is partly dependent on the tiles drawn, which can be random.

Scoring Complexity: Managing inverted tiles and end cap connections can be complex for new players.

Personal Thoughts on Connections

Connections is ideal for fans of puzzle games and those who enjoy strategic tile placement. It is a great addition to family game nights or conventions due to its quick gameplay and high replayability. The game appeals to players who enjoy games like Take it Easy and other path-connecting puzzles, offering a fun and challenging experience that keeps players coming back for more.

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