Sonora Board Game - A Vibrant Flick & Write Game Set in the Enchanting Sonoran Desert! Fun Family Game for Kids and Adults, Ages 10+, 1-4 Players, 30-45 Minute Playtime, Made by Pandasaurus Games

I'm a pretty avid game player. I have a huge assortment in my collection and I own quite a few games that fit into the "Roll and Write" category. The reason that I am mentioning this is that these types of games follow some sort of pattern and that made understanding the rulebook for this one a little easier. If you buy this game as an introduction to the genre, you are most likely going to have a very difficult time making sense of it. Luckily there are many instructional videos online that can supplement the instructions provided.The mechanic that makes this game different, is the "flick" stage that precedes the "write" stage. As far as I can tell, no other game of this sort has that feature. Is it fun? Or is it just a novelty? Well, I can certainly tell you that it is fun. There's just something about the addition of an action to a game that creates a carnival like atmosphere. The issue that I have is that there is a small degree of skill involved. The reason for this is that if you are playing with several others, you can be sure that a well placed shot that you made will not remain there for very long. So, the strategy comes in when you see an opponent has set themselves up nicely and you decide to knock them out of position, shuffle board style.Since the disks are numbered and that does factor into the scoring of the game, deciding when to use specific numbers is another strategy that comes into play. Why use your powerful "5" disk first when it will most likely end up somewhere unwanted by the time the scoring occurs?The fact that Pandasaurus created dry-erase cards as opposed to paper is also a good thing. A pad eventually runs out and needs to be replaced. Sometimes, that can be quite costly. Here, you will eventually need to replace the dry erase markers, but I think comparatively speaking, the cost of that will be much less. That's when your local dollar store will be useful!The scoring sheet is highly strategic and as in many of these type of games, you could set yourself up for a lengthy set of moves by "chaining" your bonuses together. And, rather than have just one thing to focus on, there are actually four events or mini-games that will require your attention during the write phase. If you have some near vision issues, make sure that you are wearing your reading glasses though because the stuff is tiny! It is worth it because the interplay between the mini-games is great and you will most definitely be using the eraser end of the markers a lot. Very innovative and full of thought if you like that sort of thing.I do realize that the artwork employs colors that are typically part of the desert scenario, but they are so muted that it is a little tough to actually distinguish between the different sections easily. I found that I had to continually go back and figure out which section on the flicking board connected to which section on the scoring card. This is probably the game's biggest flaw. I think connecting the matching sections with an easily distinguishable color would really make the game much easier to play. Other than that, it is a neat, innovative new game that will be enjoyed by many willing to invest the time into learning it.In closing, I just want to comment on the solo variation described in the instructions. It seems like it was tacked on as an afterthought and it is incredibly difficult to interpret the rules. They don't give any examples and I often found myself reading the same paragraph multiple times trying to make sense of it. Apparently many people online had the same questions. Solo play is most likely something that I will never use again. It just didn't feel nearly as good as the gameplay with other live people, and much of it just didn't make any sense. Perhaps if the instructions had been more clear, I would find it more interesting.7/27/2020: After now having played this game with 2 and 3 people, I can say that at lower player counts, the skill involved in the flicking action becomes much less random. The game was very well received by the other players and each time I play it, I get better! My score has been climbing with each replay. I changed my review and made it 5 stars because all had a great time.

Flick phase is pleasing and the write phase is engaging. Seems to be well-balanced too. Our #1 in this family right now.

The publisher states this is the world's first flick and write game. And that's very likely true. However, despite this being a flicking game it very much functions as a roll and write game. The flicking acts as a randomizer. The good thing (or bad depending on your ability) is that some skill can get you a better result. However, unless you're the last to play it's fairly easy to be knocked out of position so others will have a chance.I honestly think the flicking part is not only the least interesting part of the game, it's not really the game at all. The game is how you use the points you scored on your individual board. Sonora has four mini-games on a laminated sheet. You cross off or draw in each section in a way to maximize your points for that section. I'm greatly simplifying it, but that's it in a nutshell. These mini-games are all puzzles in themselves. And in one of the four you're competing against others to get the most points and bonuses.These mini-games function just like a typical roll and write. And just like about every other roll and write, the majority of the game you're playing isn't the rolling of dice (or in the case flicking), it's how you use the points (or pips on the dice) you have on your individual sheet or board.I'm giving Sonora four stars because it's unique and the mini-games - which are the core of the game - are as good if not better than most of the roll and writes I've played. Also, unlike most roll and writes, this has elements of interaction. That being said, this game really isn't for me.Here's why:Even though the flicking is not the game, it doesn't really work for me personally. And thing is, I don't really like any flicking games. I have no interest in Crokinole. I even feel a bit apathetic about Safranito which is a gorgeous game with a unique theme. About the only flicking game I like is Flick 'em Up. And the reason that works for me is that flicking fits the theme - shooting a gun. Here the flicking has nothing to do with the theme - as is typical for most flicking games.Which brings me to another negative for me - the lack of connection to the theme. Again, this complaint might not mean much to others because very very few roll and writes have a connection to their theme. Some have none like That's Pretty Clever. So it's not essential for a good game. But for me, the combo of the dessert and the flicking just doesn't work. I don't think it's going to matter to a lot of other gamers.Which brings me to my next point. This is not Yahtzee. The rules to Sonora aren't going to make a lot of sense to a casual gamer who only knows Monopoly, Yahtzee etc. If you're in this camp I'd recommend starting with a different game to try out. This is a game for more serious gamers who love roll and write games and are going to enjoy the flicking or least not object to it.Lastly, Sonora doesn't work for me personally because I'm better at dexterity games than my wife and there is a bit of take that when your disk knocks another out of position. I generally avoid games with that kind of interaction when playing with my wife.I generally try to rate games not just on how much I like them, but at how good they are for their intended audience. While I'm a serious gamer, I don't think I'm the audience for this game. Despite that, I think this is a unique game worthy of some praise and attention. If what you've read piques your interest you should definitely check out Sonora. At least as of this writing, there really isn't another game out there like it.

This game isnt hard to learn but hard to master, flicking pucks is a physical precision aspect that most board games dont have and other players add an exciting twist to your plansAdjustable round settings make the game longer or shorter if needed and the art style is very pretty mosaic like pastels