Boardgame Review - Gizmos

Review of Gizmos

A game for 2-4 players with a suggested age of 14+ lasting 40-50 minutes.  Produced by CMON and designed by Phil Walker-Harding.
So recently picked this new release up based on the nice looking components and the fact that Phil Walker-Harding's previous offering 'Imhotep' was a splendidly simple game but offered lots of choices and strategy during play.  I would say this game did not disappoint, the rules are simple and easy to understand and it pleases my wife they are only 4 pages long (including the front cover).

If the games Century Spice Road and Potion Explosion were to get together and have a love child this would be the result.  The game revolves around your player board and the market place of cards (gizmos) which you can purchase by spending marbles (energy spheres) of various colours which are drawn or picked at random from the marble dispenser.  Buying the Gizmos will allow you to convert/manipulate the spheres you pick and fire off combinations of different actions and effects thus allowing you to buy increasing more expensive gizmo cards.  The game ends when any player has created 16 gizmos or purchased 4 of the top tier gizmo cards.
The game is very simple to teach and get the hang of and within two turns you can see how all the moving parts of the game come together to make a fun game which even with our first play hit around the game duration noted on the box, so it certainly doesn't outstay its welcome.
The box states an age of 14+ but I think that it would be manageable by a younger age group although it is certainly much more than a kids game.
The icons on cards are consistent throughout the components and a handy reference sheet is provided, although after a turn or two the iconography is pretty much self explanatory.
Overall we have found it to be an enjoyable game, it requires some planning and a bit of thought as you build your engine of gizmos,  watching it all come together is a lot of fun and the tactile element of the marbles does add something to the whole experience.

• Components - These score a 4 out of 5.  Thick cardboard components with coloured printing on both side.  Some assembly of the energy dispenser is required, but there is a separate sheet with the instructions on how to do this and it is very clear.  The energy spheres (marbles) are of a nice weight and consistent size, colour and quality.  My only small gripe is that the gizmo cards you draft are square shape and I would have preferred standard card size to allowing them to be sleeved and easier shuffling, but this certainly didn't detract from the game.  The plastic box insert fits everything nicely back into the box when packed away but I suspect will not be future proof for the inevitable expansion.
• Game Play - Scoring this also at a solid 4 out of 5.  Any one who has played either Splendor or Century Spice Road will recognise the mechanics of this, so although not a ground breaking mechanic it is a lot of fun to play and certainly adds a twist to it.  Working towards an engine that fires on all cylinders has more strategy to it than you may first think and we found playing the game a rewarding experience.
• Board game geek link here https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/246192/gizmos

TL;DR  -  An enjoyable engine building and drafting game using marbles to create a tactile experience.  Although not totally gateway I think it will provide a good game experience for bothy newer players and veteran gamers alike.  Thumbs up for this game.

Box art doesn't tell you much about the game

Energy spheres available for selection

Player board with gizmos built underneath and the available player energy spheres stored in the energy ring

A Whole Year!

Well I've just realised its been a year since I posted anything on my gaming related blog, you can see why I'll never be a social media celebrity.  I also need to apologise for not hosting any Games Day Events this year for the Northants Board and Card Gamers Collective, reasons will become clear in this post.  I will promise to pick it up again for 2019.
In a non game related way the last year has been tough to say the least with the death of my dad, moving house and then eventually facing the fact I needed some help for anxiety and depression, but I think I'm back on and even keel again and able to focus on having gaming hobby fun.
I won't harp on about mental health, I wouldn't want to sound sanctimonious or all expert about the subject but I would like to make it clear that the help I had from my doctor has really changed things for the better and not only for me but those around me.  So as the adverts say, its ok to not be ok and as I did don't think that the problems caused by stress are a sign of weakness in your character, reach out for some help.  If you have a friend who you think might be struggling, listen and talk, it really does help.
Any way enough of my preaching stuff, what has been happening hobby wise??

• I have finished painting the core box of Mythic Pantheon by Monolith.  It really is a miniature heavy game but they are really nice to paint.  The bad news is I've now started on the stretch goal box and there are about 300 more in the paint queue.
• I've been converting and painting up matchbox and hot wheel toy cars for Gaslands, a kind of Madmax post apocalyptic car racing and shooting game.  Making the cars is great fun but I haven't had a chance to play the game yet!
• Lots of board gaming as usual and also played some older less cult of the new euro games which were really good.  Fried my brain with T'zolkin and less so with Notre Dame, both older but very good games.  Moral of the story is don't miss out on these games just because they are older, keep an eye out because I picked up Taj Mahal for £3 at a convention!!!