OTLO Stones (2023) Board Game

OTLO Stones is a new board game released in 2023 by Norsker Games. It is designed for 1-4 players, with a runtime of 15 minutes and suitable for players aged 8 and up. The game falls under the categories of Action/Dexterity, Puzzle, and Real-time, with a focus on pattern recognition as its main mechanism.

Game Components of OTLO Stones

60 challenge cards divided into three levels of difficulty

Six two-sided tiles per player, each featuring gemstones and one or two holes

A printed booklet of solutions for all challenge cards

How To Setup OTLO Stones

To set up OTLO Stones, shuffle the challenge cards and place them in face-up piles in the center of the table, one pile per player. For the first game, it is recommended to start with the easy (1-star) cards. Each player receives their set of six two-sided tiles.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Mechanics: Pattern building, tile placement, and logical reasoning.

Game Objective: Reproduce patterns shown on challenge cards using two layers of tiles.
– Players must place their tiles in no more than two layers without exceeding the footprint of the pattern.
– The visible colors and holes must exactly match the pattern on the card.
– Only the first player to correctly solve a card scores points for it.
– The game ends when all card stacks are exhausted or no player can solve any of the visible cards.

Player Experience

OTLO Stones challenges players’ logical skills with multiple levels of difficulty. Players can work on any of the topmost cards in each pile simultaneously, but only the first to solve it scores. This mechanic mitigates the dominance of a single player, making the game more competitive.

Pros

Multiple Stacks: Reduces the likelihood of one player dominating the game.

Variety in Challenges: Includes 60 challenge cards with varying difficulty levels.

Relaxing Solo Experience: Enjoyable as a solo puzzle to solve at one’s own pace.

High-Quality Components: Thick tiles and a compact box.

Cons

Potential for Dominance: In competitive play, a significantly better player can still win handily.

Penalty System: Incorrect solutions result in being unable to try that particular card again.

Personal Thoughts on OTLO Stones

OTLO Stones is ideal for those who enjoy logical puzzles and brain teasers. While it can be played competitively, it shines more as a solo activity where players can challenge themselves at their own pace. The game’s mechanics and components make it a great addition for fans of puzzle games, but it may not be as engaging for those seeking highly interactive multiplayer experiences.

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