Covalence: A Molecule Building Game (2016) Board Game

Covalence: A Molecule Building Game was released in 2016 and is designed by John Coveyou. The game is published by Ediciones MasQueOca and falls into the categories of Deduction, Educational, and Puzzle. With a runtime of 15-40 minutes, Covalence is designed for 2-4 players, with the best experience being with 3-4 players. The game is suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Game Components of Covalence: A Molecule Building Game

Element tiles (carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen)

Clue cards (organic and number decks)

Clue and guess tokens

Secret molecule cards labeled as easy, medium, or hard

Knower and builder roles

How To Setup Covalence: A Molecule Building Game

To set up the game, the knower deals 2-3 secret molecule cards face-down to each builder. The builders receive element tiles, and the group collectively gets clue and guess tokens based on the chosen difficulty level. The knower starts with four cards from each deck (organic and number) available for use.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Gameplay: Players work together as a team.

Deduction Mechanic: Builders deduce molecule structures from clues given by the knower.

hidden Information: The knower cannot speak or communicate directly with the builders.

Token Management: Builders use clue tokens to request additional information and guess tokens to submit their molecule constructions.

Objective: The builders must correctly construct all their secret molecules to win the game.

Player Experience

Players take on roles as either the knower or the builders. The game starts with the knower providing initial clues, and the builders then construct their molecules based on these hints. The difficulty level can be adjusted by changing the number of tokens available and the complexity of the secret molecule cards. This dynamic allows the game to scale from easy to hard, providing a challenging yet engaging experience.

Pros

Educational Value: Teaches basic chemistry concepts in an engaging way.

Adjustable Difficulty: Allows for easy, medium, or hard gameplay.

Cooperative: Encourages teamwork and communication through non-verbal clues.

Replayability: Different molecule cards and adjustable difficulty levels enhance replay value.

Cons

Limited Content: May need expansions to add more molecule variations and complexity.

Initial Learning Curve: Some players may find the initial setup and rules confusing.

Personal Thoughts on Covalence: A Molecule Building Game

**Covalence** is ideal for families, educational settings, and chemistry enthusiasts who enjoy puzzles. It offers a unique blend of science and gameplay, making it a great tool for learning chemistry in a fun and interactive manner. While it may not be a game you play weekly, it is perfect for pulling out every few months to challenge your problem-solving skills and chemistry knowledge.

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