Blokus
- Designer Bernard Tavitian
- Publisher Educational Insights , Mattel, Inc. , Alary Games , Beverly Enterprises, Inc. , danspil
- Illustration Alan D. Hoch
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
In Blokus, players place transparent, Tetris-shaped colored pieces onto a square grid. Pieces must touch their own pieces only at the corners, not along edges. The goal is to fit as many of your pieces on the board as possible before no moves remain. The game features mechanics like Chaining, Grid Coverage, and Hand Management.
Who Is This Game For?
Blokus is a family-friendly game with simple rules and about 30 minutes playtime, suitable for ages 7 and up. It is ideal for players who enjoy abstract strategy without complex rules, and fits well into short gaming sessions with 2 to 4 players.
How It Works
Each player gets a set of colored polyomino pieces to place on a square grid. Pieces must be placed so they only touch their own color at the corners (Chaining), never on edges. Players manage their hand of pieces carefully to maximize coverage on the board (Grid Coverage). When a player cannot place a piece, they are out (Player Elimination). The winner covers the largest territory.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Bernard Tavitian, Blokus won the 2002 Japan Boardgame Prize Best Japanese Game and was recommended for Spiel des Jahres in 2002. It also received the Mensa Select Award in 2003. Its unique combination of Chaining and Hand Management on a polyomino grid makes it stand out among abstract strategy games.
Awards
2003
2002
2002
2001
- 2003 Australian Games Association Game of the Year — Nominated
- 2003 Vuoden Peli Family Game of the Year — Winner
Pro
- Simple rules and quick to learn
- Short playtime around 30 minutes
- High replayability with different strategies
- Suitable for 2 to 4 players aged 7 and up
Contra
- No thematic background
- Might be challenging for very young children due to abstract placement
- Limited to a maximum of 4 players
Setting & Atmosphäre
Blokus is a purely abstract game played on a square grid with colored polyomino pieces. It has no thematic setting but fits the abstract strategy genre.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on placing pieces to maintain multiple future placement options for better flexibility.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Blokus is mainly designed for 2 to 4 players and does not have an official solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
A typical Blokus game lasts about 30 minutes, suitable for quick sessions.
What prior experience do I need?
Blokus has simple family game rules, so no special prior experience is required.
How does this compare to similar games?
Its rule that pieces only touch at corners creates unique strategic depth.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes, Blokus is recommended for ages 7 and up and is a good family game due to its simple mechanics.
What mechanic makes it special?
The use of Chaining (corner-only connection) combined with grid coverage makes Blokus unique.
Fazit
Blokus is an accessible, tactical placement game perfect for families and casual players. Its short playtime and easy rules make it a solid choice if you like abstract strategy.
