Twinkle (2021) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Twinkle is an abstract strategy board game that was released in in 2021. Designed by Thomas Kestis and Giorgos Vassos, this game is all about dice rolling and matching. With a runtime of 15-30 minutes and suitable for players aged 8 and up, Twinkle offers a quick and engaging gaming experience for 1-4 players.

Game Components of Twinkle

Game board

Colored dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12) in various colors

Scoring cards

Scoring markers

Connectors

Bronze and Silver Mission cards

Twinkle Scoring card

Starting Stars

How To Setup Twinkle

To set up Twinkle, place the game board in the center of the table so each pair of Starting Stars faces a single player. Each player receives the matching color Scoring marker of the Starting Stars facing them. Shuffle the Scoring cards and deal the number of players + 2 face-up near the playing area, along with the Twinkle Scoring card. Dice of the matching color are placed next to each Scoring card, except the D8 dice, which are rolled and placed on the board. Each player takes 7 Connectors, and the player who most recently saw a shooting star goes first.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Drafting: Players choose either three available dice to roll and select one, or take a D8 from the center board without re-rolling it.

Constellation Building: Players add dice to their constellation using Connectors, ensuring each new die has a lower value than the previously placed die it’s connected to.

Scoring: Points are scored based on each Scoring card, with additional points for “twinkles” (connecting a lower-value die with more sides to a previously played die).

Mission Cards: Bronze and Silver Mission cards provide additional scoring opportunities for achieving specific goals.

Game Objective: Build the most valuable constellation by strategically placing dice and fulfilling scoring card and mission card requirements.

Player Experience

Playing Twinkle is a quick and engaging experience, lasting about 15 minutes. The game offers a mix of strategic decisions and luck from dice rolls. Players must balance the need to build a cohesive constellation with the random outcomes of the dice, making each game unique. The variety of scoring cards and mission cards adds significant replayability.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Lasts about 15 minutes, making it a great filler game.

Replayability: Multiple scoring cards and mission cards ensure different experiences each time.

Strategic Depth: Decisions on which dice to roll and place add a layer of strategy.

Visually Appealing: The game setup creates a neat and visually appealing presentation on the table.

Cons

Complex Scoring: Keeping track of all the different Scoring cards and missions can be daunting.

Luck Factor: Dice rolls introduce randomness, which may not appeal to all players.

Personal Thoughts on Twinkle

Twinkle is ideal for families and casual gamers who enjoy strategic yet quick games. It shines particularly in solo mode, where the combination of Scoring cards and mission cards presents a challenging and varied puzzle each time. The game’s accessibility and short playtime make it an excellent choice for those looking to introduce new players to more strategic board games. However, the complexity of the scoring system may require some time to fully grasp, making it less suitable for very young children or those who prefer extremely straightforward rules.

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