Magic Maze Kids (2018) Board Game

Magic Maze Kids is a cooperative fantasy board game designed by Kasper Lapp and released in 2018 by Sit Down! It is a simplified version of the original Magic Maze game, tailored for children aged 5 and up. The game features a maze-like game board and colorful fantasy-themed components that are sure to capture the imagination of young players.

Game Components of Magic Maze Kids

10 wooden pawns

28 cards

4 gameboards

1 sand timer

1 Cauldron standee

53 tokens

4 Action tiles

1 rulebook

XXL play mat expansion (included for free in some versions).

How To Setup Magic Maze Kids

To set up the game, players start by assembling the gameboards, which are designed to introduce the game mechanics through a series of tutorial levels. The game components, including the pawns, cards, and tokens, are placed according to the instructions in the rulebook. The Cauldron standee and sand timer are also set up as per the game’s requirements. The initial setup is guided through a series of short tutorial games that ease players into the full game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Cooperative Play: Players work together to achieve the game’s objectives.

Real-Time Action: Players take actions simultaneously without turns.

Directional Movement: Each player can move characters only in a specific direction (e.g., north, south, east, west).

Communication: Players are allowed to discuss their moves to coordinate actions.

Game Objective:

The objective is to navigate the pawns through a series of paths and obstacles to gather ingredients and save the King, who has been turned into a frog.

Players must work together to move the characters to the correct locations, collect the required ingredients, and place them in the cauldron.

Player Experience

**Magic Maze Kids** offers a unique and interactive experience for young players. The game requires extreme cooperation and communication among players, which can be both fun and challenging. The tutorial games help children understand the rules and mechanics, making it easier for them to transition to the full game. However, the game can be frustrating for younger players who struggle with multitasking and following instructions without adult guidance.

Pros

Educational Value: Teaches teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking.

Adaptive Difficulty: Four difficulty levels to accommodate different age groups and skill levels.

Engaging Theme: A fantasy theme with jungle creatures and a king to save, which kids find appealing.

Easy to Learn: Tutorial games help introduce the mechanics gradually.

Cons

Frustration: Can be frustrating for younger players who struggle with the real-time action and multitasking.

Limited Content: The game may become repetitive as there are only a few full game boards, which can lead to limited replay value for older children.

Adult Involvement: Often requires adult supervision and guidance to ensure smooth gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on Magic Maze Kids

**Magic Maze Kids** is ideal for families with young children who are looking for a cooperative game that promotes teamwork and communication. However, it may not be the best fit for children over 8 years old, as they might find the content too repetitive and simplistic. For younger children, it is a great introduction to complex game mechanics in a fun and engaging way. Despite some potential for frustration, the game is well-designed to keep kids entertained and engaged.

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