Last weeks game was one that felt very familiar in a lot of ways. It isn’t one that I’ve played before, but I get a couple of different feelings from it. It’s a roll and write game and one that is very simple to learn and play. So for a game on BGA (Board Game Arena) that works well. Knister is all about creating rows and columns of five values and scoring off of them, but let’s talk about how it works and if it’s a good game.

How To Play Knister

In Knister you are filling out a five by five grid with die rolls. Every turn two dice are rolled and then players put that combined total into one of their squares. You want to plan where you place things because as you complete rows and the two five long diagonals, you will be scoring points.

To get points you need to complete certain scoring objectives for the rows or columns. Generally things like pairs, straights, three of a kind, full house and other things familiar with poker and Yahtzee. The harder it is to get, the more points you get at the end of the game. Also, like I mentioned, you score for the two five long diagonals. But they score double as compared to a row or column.

You keep on rolling until you roll twenty-five times and then you see what score you get. I don’t think I mentioned it, but each player uses the same die roll. So the game moves along quickly as everyone plays at once.

What Doesn’t Work

This is a simple game with limited strategy to it and a good amount of luck. So for anyone wanting a game that has a good amount of strategy, that isn’t going to work for them. The luck really does come in because while seven is the most common number, we all know that you can end up with a random die combination that gives you three twelves and only two sevens. So you really are at the mercy of the dice.

What Works

Now, to say what works, it’s the luck that works in the game as well as it doesn’t. It just depends on the person. But as you roll everyone is adapting to what comes up. And you all are hoping, at the end of the game, that certain numbers pop up. So that’s one of the fun elements of the game, and something that I think will work well in person, probably better than it does on BGA.

The game is also fast. Any time you play a game where everyone goes at once the game is as fast as the slowest player. The nice thing is with the luck and limited decision making no one can spend too much time. At least, if they do spend to much time, it’s game they shouldn’t and it’ll tell you a lot about that player. And as the game goes on you know faster where you want to place something because there is always an obvious better spot. And at the start of the game it is more random.

Who Is Knister For?

This is what I consider a “holiday” game. It’s like others that I have brought home to play with my parents or siblings. It is easy to learn and easy to play and easy to chat around. It isn’t going to be for someone or groups who want a serious gaming night. Knister is a simple game that is going to be too lucky for them.

My Final Thoughts on Knister

Knister reminds me of other games. I mention Yahtzee and Poker, but it also reminds me of Criss Cross. The nice thing about Knister is that it’s simple to play and I think simpler than Criss Cross. There you use two dice like dominoes to place on your board. And it is not that difficult to end up with an open two spots if you aren’t careful. Knister removes that from the equation. The downside is that Criss Cross is faster because there are fewer rolls.

Is this going to be a game that I play all the time, no. I think like Criss Cross it is going to be one that I play sometimes but will play in waves. And I think it’ll be a regular for taking up for the holidays. I also think that it’ll work well with my game group as kind of that kick off a game night or end a game night. Plus it doesn’t really have an upper end for players. So that makes it easier for those big group events as well.

My Grade: B-
Strategy: D+
Luck: A-

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