Kluster Duo

The original “Kluster” was a big favourite of mine. Therefore Game 8# of the “Now & Then Summer Marathon 2024” is the sequel “Kluster Duo”. Played with Jack(9) and Toby(6).

The general concept of “Kluster Duo” is exactly the same as the original, where you set out a string area on a suitable surface, and then take turns laying a magnet in the ring, trying not to attract anyone else’s magnets. If you attract a magnet and multiple magnets clang together, which is what normally happens, then you have to pick up those magnets, and the game resumes.

The main difference between this and the original is simply the shape of the magnets. The original one had stone-like magnets that were less strong and did not move. These ones, on the other hand, are spinner-type magnets which are stronger. More importantly, when they get a small hint of a magnetic field near them, they start to spin around. This means most of the time you are playing this game, the magnets themselves are moving about the place.

Firstly, this makes it a lot more tense and more exciting than the original, but it also allows for a little bit more tactical play. It is very easy for you to spin the magnets around to the poles that you want in order to try and position another magnet in a way that creates an equilibrium between the magnets that are already placed. While obviously Jack and Toby didn’t understand why this was working, you can definitely get the feel of it, and this worked extremely well.

We really liked the first “Kluster,” and to be honest, I actually think I prefer this one more. The shape of the magnets allows for more tactical play, and it’s really satisfying when you manage to line up several magnets, creating some kind of magnetic equilibrium and the whole thing is holding together and wibbling all over the place.

I haven’t shown it here, but it is also possible to join both versions together to make a dual version. To be honest, I much prefer just playing “Kluster Duo” as it is.

Definitely a recommendation, especially if you liked the first one. If you haven’t tried it, there is nothing else really like it. Great stuff.