One thing that we gamers love to do is take our games on the go. Whether it’s to a friend’s house for a game night or for something to do at the local pub over beer and pretzels, portable titles ensure a good time no matter where you’re at. Of course, not all games are easily transported. Board games continue to get bigger in size and scope, with more bits and components to store and possibly lose. It might not always be a smart thing to lug your copy of Twilight Imperium or Gloomhaven to your favorite watering hole during happy hour.
Thankfully, Big Potato Games solves this conundrum with Cinco Linko, an easy to learn, quick to play, and easily transportable game that will satisfy all types of players at all kinds of venues.
Originally known as OK Play, Cinco Linko finds its inspiration in two classic mainstays of the board game hobby: Connect Four and Carcassonne. The goal couldn’t be simpler: two to four players race to be the first to connect five of their pieces in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line. You can see how simple it is to play in this super quick episode of How to Play:
On your turn, take one of your tiles and lay its edge against the edge of another previously placed piece. If you ever run out of tiles, then the real interesting part of the game begins: take one of your previously placed tiles and move it, while ensuring that your other tiles still adhere to the placement rules.
You’ll face tougher decisions than your typical Connect Four game once you begin moving your previously placed tiles. It’s not always easy to choose a piece to move since other tiles must still be legally placed; moving a tile and leaving untouched tiles behind isn’t allowed.
With its simple ruleset, Cinco Linko is a terrific way to spend time with a wide range of gamers, from newbies eager to learn something new to the more discerning gamer looking for a quick filler between other games.
It’s more satisfying than Connect Four, thanks to its malleable format; you and your opponents build the board as you play, with the game changing as more tiles are added and moved around. And it’s easier for new players to learn and play; while the tile-laying is reminiscent of Carcassonne, there’s no need to track points or learn how to score those tricky farmers.
Best of all, the game is designed perfectly for the gamer on the go. All of the player pieces are neatly stacked on a tray and hooked into its carrier. The sturdy components and ingenious design make it look like a multi-colored cube that you carry around to any location, ready to get your game on. It even has a carabiner you can use to hook onto your backpack or luggage. Or, for maximum gamer geekiness, hook Cinco Linko onto your belt loop and bring game night wherever you go. Check it out in action in this episode of Game the Game:
Get your copy of Cinko Linko online or where you can find quality board games.
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Image Credits: Ruel Gaviola
This post is sponsored by Big Potato Games.
Ruel Gaviola loves board games, books, food, travel, Star Wars, and date nights with his wife. He writes about games for iSlaytheDragon and tabletop-test.com, podcasts about games for The Five By, and his name rhymes with Superman’s Kryptonian name. Follow him on Twitter and read his blog here.