Quarto
Quarto at your next game night?
Add Quarto to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Blaise Muller
- Publisher Gigamic , AccessiJeux , Back Alley Games , Broadway Toys LTD , Family Games, Inc.
- Illustration Blaise Muller
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
In Quarto, you play on a 4x4 board with 16 unique wooden pieces, each having four attributes. The goal is to place the fourth piece in a row sharing at least one common attribute. The twist: your opponent chooses the piece you must place, requiring careful pattern recognition and strategic planning.
Who Is This Game For?
Quarto is perfect for fans of abstract strategy games aged 8 and up. Designed for two players, it offers quick, tactical gameplay. It is a family-friendly game with low complexity, suitable for beginners.
How It Works
Players alternate placing pieces chosen by their opponent onto the 4x4 grid. The objective is to form a line of four pieces sharing at least one attribute. The game features mechanics like Open Drafting, Pattern Building, and Pattern Recognition, demanding tactical thinking within a square grid.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Blaise Muller, Quarto won the Mensa Select award in 1993 and was recommended for Spiel des Jahres the same year. It is a classic abstract strategy game combining simple rules with deep tactics.
Awards
1993
1993
1992
- 2013 Årets Spel Best Family Game — Nominated
- 2001 Vuoden Peli Adult Game of the Year — Winner
- 1993 Parents' Choice Gold Award — Winner
Pro
- Compact and quick gameplay around 20 minutes
- Simple rules with challenging tactics
- 1993 Mensa Select winner
- Perfect for two players
Contra
- Only suitable for exactly two players
- No thematic setting, pure abstraction
- Not for players seeking complex rulebooks
Setting & atmosphere
Quarto is an abstract strategy game without thematic elements, focusing on pattern building on a 4x4 board.
Tips for beginners
Focus on recognizing common attributes and plan your moves ahead to avoid giving your opponent easy wins.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Quarto is designed exclusively for two players and does not include a solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
A game of Quarto lasts about 20 minutes, making it ideal for quick play sessions.
What prior experience do I need?
Quarto is a family game with simple rules that require no special prior knowledge.
How does this compare to similar games?
Quarto stands out with its unique mechanic where your opponent chooses the piece you must place, combining Open Drafting with Pattern Recognition.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes, it is suitable for ages 8 and up with low complexity, making it family-friendly.
What mechanic makes it special?
The combination of Open Drafting, Pattern Building, and Pattern Recognition on a Square Grid makes Quarto unique.
Fazit
Quarto is a fast, clever two-player strategy game ideal for abstract strategy enthusiasts. Its short playtime makes it great for quick sessions or as an introduction to strategy games.
Quarto at your next game night?
Add Quarto to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Quarto to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
