YORKTON - This week we look at Linx, a recent release which has obvious linage back to both Xs & Os, and to rock, paper, scissors.
With such a family tree do not expect anything particularly deep here.
This is most assuredly a quick-to-learn, quick-to-play, game which joins a plethora of offerings that fit the moniker ‘filler game’.
In the case of Linx it comes from designer Fabrice Puleo, and artist Anthony Questel, and publisher Matagot via Canadian distributor - ilo307.com
The game is a small box offering, and inside was tiles – pressed cardboard but still very playable. The game allows for two-to-four players but since you are laying tiles trying to achieve three-in-a-row, at four players the game feels like you have very little self-control of a plan to succeed, and are often forced to make moves to block other players rather than progressing yourself to a win.
As a result Linx comes off as rather too bland to highly recommend.
That said a digression seems warranted here.
While playing Linx we had a discussion whether another small filler game was needed?
Later, laying in bed listening to Our Lady Peace on the CD player, this Meeple Guilder had an epiphany regarding fillers.
When a gamer heads to a game store there is a nagging desire to buy something – almost anything – to be honest.
Big box games are increasingly pricey, so they are purchases made with greater care.
But a filler game is likely $30, or less. A gang of three, or four players sit down and play such a game even for an hour, and the cost per player is less than a movie, or a brew, or maybe even a fancy coffee for the group. In that light a filler game is almost disposable at the end of a game session – or something to pass on to a youth group perhaps if it does now ‘wow’ you.
That is food for thought at least – as you decide whether you want to grab Linx to try.
