Vikings Brainstorm, from Smart Games, is a puzzle in which players must move their ships by rotating the “sea” puzzle pieces in order to make a path to the ship’s final destination. The challenge booklet features 60 individual challenges, and depicts each one from set-up to solution in full-color illustrations that are easy to follow. Challenges are organized by skill level: starter, junior, expert, and master.
Players begin by arranging the blue sea pieces in the orientation shown in the first drawing of the selected challenge. Then, players place the ships according to the instructions, as well as colored arrows around the edges of the board to indicate the boat’s destination. Players must navigate the boats through the sea by rotating them through the sea pieces at 90-, 180-, or 270-degree rotations. Boats can move forward or backward, but cannot be picked up or moved once play has begun. Once each boat has arrived at it’s final destination, the puzzle has been solved.
This game is much more challenging than the small board and charming little ships initially suggest. Even for the first few starter levels, I admit, I had to look at the booklet to figure out how to solve the puzzle. The unique shapes of the sea pieces add an unexpected level of difficulty, as opposed to puzzles I have played that have a similar concept, but use linear paths. I always enjoy a good brainteaser, so this game is great in my opinion. I can definitely see this in my game closet.
The packaging also doubles as a storage lid for containing the pieces neatly. The boats can be a little tricky to get in place before placing the plastic blister over them, but once in place, the provided elastic band keeps everything firmly together for easy stacking on a games shelf or transporting. Vikings Brainstorm is for players ages 6 to 99.
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