INTRO: for those who don't know, the term "point salad" in the table gaming world refers to a game in which there are many ways to score points. Thus, to title a game Point Salad and actually make the game not only have many ways to score, but to also have a salad theme, is a bit clever. What really shines about this game is that unlike most other "point salad" games (example: most Stefan Feld games), Point Salad has a very low barrier to entry, and can be taught and learned quite easily.
SETUP: Take the appropriate amount of cards from each of the 6 vegetable groups (18 cards each), depending on the number of players. Shuffle these together and separate into 3 roughly equal piles, score side up. Flip two from each pile to the vegetable side, making 3 columns. The resulting grid should be 3x3, with the top row consisting of 3 score cards (piles), and 2 more rows of 3 single vegetables each.
GAMEPLAY: On your turn, you literally only have two options:
1) Pick ("draft") one card from one of the 3 score piles.
2) Draft any 2 vegetables from the available 6.
That's it! Where it gets interesting is that no two score sides are the same. Some give you points per single vegetable (positive and/or negative), with multiple vegetables; some give you points per group of vegetables (2 or 3 depending), some give you end of game scoring conditions, etc. Within a couple turns everyone should have the basic gist of how to play. The strategy, though not too deep, starts to come with how you decide to choose between selecting scoring cards and vegetable cards. Play continues until there are no cards left. At the end, add/subtract points from each of your scoring cards based on which and how many vegetables you drafted. Whoever has the most wins.
ART/QUALITY: The artwork is simple and slightly cartoonish, but very colorful and well done overall. The graphic design is great and very easy to read. My only quips are with the card quality, which is a little thin/flimsy (I fear the cards will wear out somewhat faster than other card games), and with the selection of colors and shapes, specifically for the onions and cabbage. Both of these two vegetables are pinkish/purplish in color, as well as round, and can be a little hard at first glance to distinguish the two, particularly when looking between your tableau and the drafting grid. A different color for the onions (white, perhaps?) could've solved this small issue easily. We found ourselves constantly double and triple checking between the two throughout the game. Other than that, everything played smoothly, and there is even room in the box insert for sleeving your cards if you so choose.
OVERALL: This is a great gateway game for nongamers, and has juuuust enough dash of strategy to keep gamers involved. While it wouldn't be my first game of choice, particularly with other gamers, it is a great new game that I feel replaces other gateway games as better and even easier to learn. The artwork is very cute and colorful, making for a pleasant treat for the eyes. It is also a good game for younger people, I'd say 8+ (maybe 6 or 7 with some help), and helps not only with developing beginner strategy concepts, but also is a fun way to sharpen math skills. I recommend Point Salad if you're into:
(a) tableau building/drafting games,
(b) gateway games
(c) developing strategy and/or basic math skills,
(d) any or all of the above.
| Dimensioni prodotto | 19,56 x 4,57 x 14,48 cm; 230 grammi |
|---|---|
| Età consigliata dal produttore | 8 anni e più |
| Numero modello articolo | ALD07059 |
| Lingua: | Inglese |
| Numero modello | ALD07059 |
| Numero di giocatori | 2 |
| Assemblaggio necessario | No |
| Batterie/Pile necessarie? | No |
| Batterie/Pile incluse? | No |
| Tipi di materiale | Cartone |
| Telecomando incluso? | No |
| Colore | Multicolore |
| Peso articolo | 230 g |
