Here we go again. Back from a summer break in the action we’re producing and filming more episodes. First on our list was a small dexterity game we’ve had for a while and we love called. Elkfest.
Elkfest is a geat game for two-or-four players that can easily travel and be played on any surface.
Each player starts with a moose that they are trying to help cross a body of water. Those moose start on an island and have to make their way across by stepping on “stones” that us, the moose wranglers, flick in front of their path.
the first person to get their moose safely to the other players island wins.
I love this game. the things that make it great to me is simplicity. I think the biggest thing I like seeing in a game, is simplicity in the base of the rules set, b ut complexity in how you choose to play the game within those rules. Elkfest accomplishes this with ease. It’ll take at most 5 minutes to show your friends how to play, but the strategy they employ on escorting their hoofed friend can vary greatly. Do you play defensively and keep all your stones together, or do you mess with your opponent, and constantly use one of your shots to send a stone halfway across the table from him.
I like any game where the surface of the table you play on determines the size you are playing on. Other great examples of this feature are Carcassonne, and Wings of War. I’ve played this on our coffee table, on our dining room table with the leaves installed and a few other surfaces, and you have to play differently whereever you are.
It also is a very easily scalable game in terms of length of play. you want a long game? Great, find a conference table and have your moose ford the Mighty Mississippi. you want a short game? Alright, just put your islands a foot apart. You’ll be done in 10 minutes.
All in all, a great little game that can be packed up in a Ziplock baggie and played in a hotel, a cafeteria, or a Motor home. we’ll be back soon, but in the meantime enjoy the wildlife (I’m talking about the moose, not Mark and Myself)
