geek.com reviews
Article #3698
Posted: Sep 23, 2002
Subject: User Review
Wizard
This fun game shows that it sometimes only takes one simple rules twist to make a game interesting. In this case it is a kind of gauntlet that the
players have to pass in this easy trick taking game.
“Wizard” works, although the colourful fantasy-themed cards might make you think otherwise, like many other trick-taking games. There are 4 suits,
each with 13 cards (you could actually play the game with an ordinary card deck as well, with only slight rules changes), higher cards beats lower
card, one suit is declared trump and beats all, first player to play defines the suit that others have to follow if they can. There are also 4
“wizard” cards which always win (if played first), and 4 “fool” cards, which always lose. So far, so normal.
What makes the game a real winner is one simple idea (which is of course adapted from the ultimate trick-taking game, bridge): 1) you have to predict
how many tricks you will make. 2) The first round you get one card each, the second round you get 2 cards, then 3, 4 etc., until in the final round
ALL cards are distributed.
If you meet your prediction, you get 20 points plus 10 points per trick taken, if you predict falsely, you get nothing.
In the first rounds prediction is relatively easy – the more cards you get, the more difficult it becomes. All cards are “good”, even fools,
because very often you find yourself desperately AVOIDING to get tricks, as you have already fulfilled your quota. Of course it is also very
interesting to see what the other players predict – if everybody announces lots of tricks, you might rethink your hand that you initially thought to
be good enough for a trick or two. It is also possible to play destructively, announcing more (or less) tricks than you plan to do, although this only
works against somebody, not for yourself. The last round is especially exciting, as all cards are in play.
This game won’t certainly win the design award for originality, but it really is a good and fun filler-in or closer for a games evening, and works
equally well with any number of players from 3 to 6.
Recommended, and you don’t even have to buy the game!
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