Reviewed by Joe Huber
GANZ SCHON CLEVER (Schmidt Spiele, 1 to 4 players, ages 8 and up, 30 minutes; $24.95)
One of the biggest trends in boardgames in the last few years has been the rise of “roll-and-write” games and their various relatives. Exactly where the history of such games starts, and for that matter just what it takes to be included, is a subject of much debate. Is Yahtzee the first such game? Does the same die roll need to be used by all of the players? Are actual dice required or will cards or other randomizers do? But regardless of where the lines are drawn, it seems to me that Qwixx (featured in the Summer 2013 GA Report), is the start of the current infatuation. But most of these have been lighter games, comparable in complexity to Qwixx. Of course, it was inevitable that someone would design a roll-and-write game with a bit more meat to it.
