Reflecto (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Reflecto is a board game designed by Roberto Fraga and published by Mandoo Games in in 2022. It falls into the categories of abstract strategy and word games, making it a unique and challenging game for players looking for something different. With a runtime of 20 minutes and recommended for ages 8 and up, Reflecto offers a fun and engaging experience for 2 players.

Game Components of Reflecto

Player boards: Each player has a board to write their secret word.

Screens: 7 screens per player, including 5 erasable screens for letters and 2 mirror screens.

Game board: A grid where players place and move their screens.

Markers: For writing letters on the erasable screens.

How To Setup Reflecto

To set up Reflecto, each player chooses a 5-letter word and writes it on their player board. Then, each of the 5 erasable screens gets one of the letters from the word. The seven screens (including the two mirror screens) are placed on the first row in front of the player on the game board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Movement Mechanics: Players move their screens using a rule similar to Checkers, allowing for diagonal and jumping moves over other screens.

Mirror Mechanics: Players use mirror screens to guess their opponent’s letters without revealing their own.

Deduction and Bluffing: Players must deduce their opponent’s word while keeping their own word secret.

Grid Movement: Moving screens around the grid to position letters or mirrors strategically.

Objective: Win by either completing your own word on the edge of the play board or guessing your opponent’s word.

Player Experience

Reflecto offers a unique blend of word guessing and strategic movement. Players take on the roles of the Snow Queen and Gerda from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Snow Queen,” aiming to solve a puzzle by matching frozen letters and words. The game is quick, with most games lasting between 10-15 minutes, and it never outstays its welcome. However, there can be some fiddliness with the mirrors, as players need to be secretive about which screens are letters and which are mirrors, and there may be issues with visibility when trying to see letters reflected in the mirrors.

Pros

Unique Gameplay: Combines word guessing with abstract strategy.

Quick Games: Games are short and engaging.

Variants Included: Rules include variants to adjust difficulty and balance player skill.

Tactical Depth: The addition of mirrors and grid movement adds a refreshing tactical component.

Cons

Visibility Issues: Seeing letters in the mirror can be challenging.

Fiddly Rules: Some rules, like maintaining posture to avoid sneaking peeks, can be hard to enforce.

Layout of Rules: Important rules are sometimes in smaller font, which can be overlooked.

Personal Thoughts on Reflecto

Reflecto is ideal for those looking for a word game with a unique twist. It combines the traditional element of word guessing with the strategic movement of an abstract game, making it appealing to fans of both genres. While it may not be the best fit for the youngest players due to the vocabulary required, it can be adapted with simpler words to make it more accessible. Overall, Reflecto is a refreshing addition to the world of board games, offering a fun and challenging experience for players of various skill levels.

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