Encore! (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Encore! is a dice game that was released in 2016 by designers Inka and Markus Brand. The game is published by Schmidt Spiele and is suitable for 1 to 6 players, with a recommended age of 8 and up. The game mechanics include dice rolling, grid coverage, and paper-and-pencil gameplay, making it a fun and engaging experience for players looking for a dice game with a twist.

Game Components of Encore!

6 dice (3 white dice with colored Xs and 3 black dice with numbers)

Scoring sheets

Wild dice (with a “wild” black X and a “wild” white question mark)

Markers or pens for marking the scoring sheets

How To Setup Encore!

To set up Encore!, each player receives a scoring sheet. The game starts with a roll of the 6 dice, from which each player selects one white die and one black die. The white die determines the color to be marked, while the black die indicates the number of squares to mark. The game is ready to go once the dice are rolled and players have made their initial selections.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Rolling Dice: Players roll 6 dice to determine which color and number to mark on their scoring sheets.

Color and Number Selection: Each player chooses one white die (color) and one black die (number) from the rolled dice.

Marking Squares: Players mark the exact number of squares of the chosen color on their scoring sheet, ensuring they are orthogonally adjacent to each other or to a previously marked X.

Wilds: Wild dice allow players to choose the color, number, or both.

Column and Color Bonuses: Points are awarded for completing columns and filling in all squares of a color.

Penalties: Players lose points for unmarked squares containing stars.

Game End: The game ends when one player marks off their second color bonus.

Scoring: Points are tallied from completed columns and color bonuses, with penalties subtracted for unmarked star squares and additions for unused wilds.

Player Experience

Encore offers a engaging and challenging experience, requiring players to think several turns ahead due to the randomness of the dice rolls. While the gameplay is straightforward, the placement rules can be tricky at first but become second nature after a few plays. The game typically lasts between 15-30 minutes, making it an excellent choice for filling time between longer games or as a wrap-up to a game night.

Pros

Quick and Engaging: Perfect for short game sessions.

Strategic Depth: Requires forward thinking and strategic planning.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules, but challenging to master.

Versatile: Suitable for a wide range of player counts (1-6 players).

Cons

Randomness: No way to mitigate bad rolls, which can be frustrating.

Learning Curve: Initial rules can be confusing without careful reading.

Digital Advantage: The digital version can enforce rules strictly, but may not provide the full tactile experience.

Personal Thoughts on Encore!

Encore is ideal for fans of roll-and-write games and those who enjoy strategic, yet quick, game sessions. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate the challenge of adapting to random dice rolls and planning ahead. Whether you’re a casual gamer or an experienced enthusiast, Encore offers a fun and intellectually stimulating experience that can easily be integrated into any game night.

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