Games that are a mix of both skill and chance are a great way to level the playing field between players of differing abilities…add in some team play and a unique way to add up the points, and you have Ravensburger’s Make ‘N Break!
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Ravensburger kindly sent us a copy of Make ‘N Break to try out and the kids are having fun with it! It’s aimed at people aged between 8 and 99 and can accommodate between 2 and 5 players at a time. With a playing time of about 30 minutes or less, it’s short enough to keep the younger players interested and is a great way to take a break from the day for everyone.
What’s in the Box
- 10 Building blocks
- 80 Double-sided blueprint cards
- 1 Timer
- 1 Time die
- 1 Action die (for the action version)
- 1 Card tray
- Instruction leaflet
Goal of Make ‘N Break
Beat the clock to use the blocks to build the images on the blueprint cards together with your teammate.
How to Play
There are two ways to play Make ‘N Break. The original game play is to first decide whether you are going to use the more simple blueprints or the more advanced blueprints throughout the game. Then sit around a table (the floor works great, too).
- The first player to sit down will start by taking 5 blocks, as will the person to their left. The person to the right will roll the time die to determine the length of play of this turn.
- Another player at the table will then set the timer and place it in the box and the game begins!
- The team picks up a card from the deck and places it on the tray and then the team will create that structure as quickly as they can. When everyone is satisfied it has been constructed correctly it’s time to break the structure, grab their 5 blocks, turn over another card and build again.
- Repeat until the time runs out. Lay the completed cards between the two players.
- Then it’s the next team’s turn to have their turn. This team will be made from the player on the left during the previous turn, along with the player on their left now.
- Play continues in this manner until all possible teams have played three rounds.
- Each player adds up the points shown on the cards to their left and to their right. The player with the highest score wins.
Action Version
This is a new way to play that wasn’t included with the Original Make ‘N Break game. In this version, for each turn not only is the time die rolled, but also the action die, which will then delegate which additional rule must be followed for that turn:
- Describe It! One player is the architect and tells the builder where to place all the blocks without the builder seeing the blueprint card.
- Fingertips Team players may only use one index fingertip to move the blocks. If needed, each player could use both hands.
- Risky Business This means that each team must commit to a certain number of structures they will complete during their turn. If they are successful, they keep their cards and points; if they are not successful they lose their blueprint cards and don’t score any points for that round.
- Vertical/Horizontal In this version one team member places only the vertical blocks while the other player only the horizontal bricks.
- 5 Plus 5 If this option is rolled, then the original rules are followed for this turn.
- Bomb Bonus If you roll this icon you have some special, secret rules to follow! They are slightly more complicated so best read in full once you have played the game yourself.
2 Player Version
Most of the game versions can be played with only two players going against each other. More specific rules are included, and you are also free to use them in a way that works best for the players involved (taking age and ability into consideration).
What We Think
Make ‘N Break is a fun way to have fun together as a family, while at the same time working on team building, cooperation, and spacial reasoning (you could even use this game as a part of your math class and be an awesome teacher!).
Because there are so many ways to play (for younger players you could even play an entire game using one of the Action options), and other ways kids can use the game parts for other imaginative endeavours, and because this game works on spacial awareness, dexterity, and cooperation, I can recommend it both as an educational game, but also as a FUN game, too!
- Ravensburger’s Make ‘N Break is available through fine retail stores and Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.
- Follow Ravensburger through their website, Facebook, and YouTube.
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