Matthew BaileyGame 43 of the “Bailey Family Summer 2023 Board Game Bonanza” is “Crash Octopus,” played by Jack(.8.), Toby(5), and myself.
“Crash Octopus” is a distinctive dexterity game that challenges players to secure five pieces of treasure while avoiding the menace of octopus attacks (being clattered by a dice).
Firstly as we found out the first time we tried to play do not play this on a table. This is very much a hardwood floor game (carpet doesn’t work)
EDIT: Others below have reported they can play this happily on the kitchen table. Maybe we were too forceful and didn’t give it enough of a chance.
To initiate the game, set up the ocean area by arranging your string adorned with beads into a circular shape. However, an immediate challenge arises here, as forming a perfect circle with a string is quite a task, if not almost impossible. Not the best start.
Pull all the beads into a linear arrangement, and position the Crab counter next to the blue one. This counter serves as a reference point for each player’s turn.
Next, place the octopus head at a designated spot, spreading its eight tentacles around it in alignment with the eight compass point directions. Each player’s ship, along with its anchor and flag, is then positioned towards the outer edge of the arena.
The player is tasked with dropping treasure pieces onto the octopus head, dispersing them randomly. Once you’ve gathered the ones that fell off the table’s edge and performed this task again, you’re ready to commence the game.
On a player’s turn, they can either flick treasure or adjust their boat’s position to facilitate future treasure flicking (try saying that after a Mojito or five). The mechanism involves holding your flag sideways and “twiddling” it akin to a table football player to flick the treasure towards your boat. Although the rules stipulate avoiding the closest piece of the specific treasure to you, we permitted Toby to select whichever one he preferred, considering that he found the flicking action quite challenging.
When you manage to hit your boat, place the treasure atop it and advance the octopus counter one space (this will be elaborated upon shortly). Flicking, from an adult perspective, is reasonably manageable. As the game advances, the challenge lies in flicking with just enough force not to dislodge other treasures from your own boat, as any lost treasure necessitates starting over. Toby possesses good physical dexterity, yet found the precision required for this action extremely demanding. Hence, we allowed him to focus on treasures in proximity. This experience might suggest that, despite being a dexterity game, it’s better suited for slightly older children.
When moving the octopus counter, crossing a blue counter concludes the turn, while crossing a black counter initiates rolling the ink dice. To roll the dice, release it onto the octopus head, allowing it to bounce off. At this point, aiming the dice at fellow players to knock off their belongings becomes a possibility. However, this action proves to be notably challenging, given the unpredictable bounce trajectory. I played the game with all three boys, then with Jack alone, and subsequently, in the evening, set up some of the included mini-games, as I’ll discuss later, practising this aspect extensively. Regrettably, not one of my roles proved accurate enough to reliably secure a victory.
If the dice’s black side faces upwards, move a tentacle adjacent to the dice. This placement can make it either tougher for players or more advantageous for the player rolling it. If the octopus head side is uppermost, then shift the octopus head itself.
One commendable aspect of the game is the detailed rules, supplemented with numerous provisions for specific scenarios. These inclusions ensure that questions can be quickly addressed.
An alternative action available on your turn is moving your ship, achieved by flicking your anchor and relocating your ship to the anchor’s position, thereby improving your chances of gaining a future treasure.
The game culminates when a player accumulates all five treasures or the octopus reaches the end. In that case, the player with the most treasures is declared the winner.
Toby wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about the game, mainly due to the challenging nature of flicking for someone his age. Additionally, from an adult standpoint, it’s actually quite easy to do and the challenge instead came from how much power as to not knock off your own treasures. Executing the dice-dropping mechanism proved less engaging. Nonetheless, flicking the treasures was enjoyable.
The overall package is of a high quality. All components are crafted from wood and are pleasant to touch. The game comes with a neatly designed cardboard insert, while the manual is printed on high-quality paper. Visually, the game is distinct, with vibrant blue and pink hues, adding a pleasing aesthetic to your collection. Great “shelf appeal”
A notable aspect, rarely encountered, is the ability to deliberately disrupt opponents’ constructions in dexterity games. I’m uncertain whether I appreciate this, particularly when playing with children, as intentionally rolling the dice into Toby’s boat felt rather unkind.
However, if the game is played with older children, there’s a decent chance it will fair better. It’s well-crafted, plays well, and offers several appealing features. Consequently, this unconventional dexterity game is best suited for adults and considerably older children.
I should mention that the game includes a mini-expansion, which, admittedly, we haven’t yet tried. It introduces an island and a pirate ship, offering an additional avenue for acquiring treasure. Moreover, several extra mini-games are included. These encompass setting up a bowling game with the octopus head, a challenge where you attempt to dislodge treasures by dropping the dice, and a game involving sailing around, collecting treasures en route. These mini-games substantially enrich the overall experience, a welcome inclusion worth exploring further in the linked rules.
There is a lot to like about “Crash Octopus” yet there is something stopping me from giving it an instant recommendation and its suitability largely hinges on context. This game is certainly not doable for young children, and I’d anticipate waiting a year or two before revisiting it with Toby.
If you enjoy skill-based dexterity games focused on hitting and flicking, as opposed to stacking, “Crash Octopus” could indeed strike a chord. While some stacking is involved, it’s of secondary importance, as a firm hit on the side of the boat causes everything to fall of regardless of how well it’s been arranged.
The game offers a diverse range of gameplay, and whether it’s worth adding to your collection depends on your preferences. Notably, it’s also currently somewhat challenging to acquire (and I bought the last copy off of Amazon UK for £36.99.
I have the Spanish version of the Japanese original that came with the “pink pirate” expansion. I might be wrong but I think all international versions come with this included but the Japanese original does not. (not fact-checked or definitely true).
Apologies for this somewhat rambling and vaguish review this evening.
Reviews of “Buckaroo” and “Beacon Patrol” (which I know a few people have asked for) incoming!
