presentation
Ars Combinatoria
Cards for Communication
The art of combination - that is the name for a method of logic, described by Gottfried Leibniz and in this game is the title and motto for five card card games, albeit more communicative than logical ones, intended for varying numbers of players and using cards from two sets, Sun and Moon.
Soulmates: Destiny, for 3-8 players - two players form a team and must lay a row of four cards; you use 60 cards with numbers 1-5, and a row comprises four consecutive card values or four identical cards, but always either Sun or Moon cards. Secret Signs, for 4 players - two teams oppose each other and collect cards to get as near as possible to a total card value of 30, by using 33 cards featuring numbers 1 to 6, again cards can only come from either the sun or the moon deck. Team mates agree on und use secret signals for information.
The other three games are subtitled Trilogy of Time; in Time of Happiness, 2-6 players, players take turns as speakers, talking about a topic of their choice while using the markings for time period and emotion on one of the cards; the other players try to guess the speaker’s emotion. Altar of Time, for 2 players, uses the awareness of time; card movement imitates the flow of time and players try to collect most points. Promise of Reunion, for 2-8 players, takes any amount of time and features the topic of separation and reunion; you receive a wish card and players determine location and time for the next meeting, if you are the only one to show up you have a lonely win.
An unusual game and an attractive example for games from Japan, putting emphasis on communication.
Players: 2-8
Age: 8+
Time: 30+
Designer: Sugioka Kazuki
Art: Sugioka Kazuki
Price: ca. 20 Euro
Publisher: aoimachi / Japon Brand 2017
Genre: Cards, communication
Users: With friends
Special: Many players
Version: jp
Rules: de en fr jp
In-game text: no
Comments:
Attractive design
Communication mechanisms
Unusual game goals
Compares to:
Communicative card game
Other editions:
Currently none
Chance (pink): 1
Tactic (turquoise): 2
Strategy (blue): 0
Creativity (dark blue): 0
Knowledge (yellow): 0
Memory (orange): 0
Communication (red): 3
Interaction (brown): 3
Dexterity (green): 0
Action (dark green): 0