Description
Genialno (originally Ingenious, Einfach Genial in German) is an abstract tile-placement game by Reiner Knizia that won the Spiel der Spiele award in 2004 and was nominated for the Spiel des Jahres. Each tile has two hexagons with symbols in six colours. When you place one on the board, you score points for every matching symbol that continues in straight lines – but in the end, only your worst colour counts.
How to play Genialno
Each player has six tiles on their rack. On your turn, you place one on two free adjacent spaces of the board. For each symbol on the tile, you count the matching symbols along the five lines radiating from it and move the marker of that colour on your scoreboard. If your rack has no tile in your weakest colour, you may swap all your tiles once per turn.
When you bring a colour up to 18, you call out »Genialno!« and immediately place another tile. The game ends when no more tiles can be placed. The player whose lowest colour is the highest wins.
Why you will like it
- Because your worst colour is what counts, you have to keep advancing evenly in all six.
- Calling out »Genialno!« earns you an extra turn that can turn the game around.
- With the right tile, you can cut off a line your opponent has been building.
- Besides the game for two to four, the rules also cover team play in pairs and a solo mode.
Who is Genialno for
It plays with one to four players aged 8 and up, and a game lasts 30 to 45 minutes. The rules are moderately easy, and players like it best with two. There is no text on the tiles, so it suits the whole family.
What you might not like?
Genialno is an abstract game without a story, where calculating points matters most. It may not be the best fit for those who prefer games with a rich theme.
What's in the box
- game board
- 120 tiles and a bag
- 4 tile racks
- 4 scoreboards and 24 markers
- rules
