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Do you have a favourite ghoul? If you do, then Patchwork Halloween could be a perfect game for you!
Pumpkin Patches!
If you have played the original Patchwork, then you will know how it works. The gameplay hasn’t changed in this version. So, what is Patchwork Halloween Edition exactly? Well, it is exactly what it says on the box. A spooky, witch, bat, and pumpkin covered rendition of Uwe Rosenberg’s classic two-player puzzly powerhouse!
Spooky Set Up!
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the great quilt-off, here’s a super spooky, speedy run down. It’s simple to set up, easy to learn and more tactical and strategic than the sharpest needle in your sewing box.
And in this fabulous Halloween edition, each player starts by taking an empty purple or orange board, as well as 5 eyeball tiles. The colourful double-sided time track is placed in the centre with the players’ pumpkins on the starting patch. All the pretty (terrifying!) patches are then placed in a circle around it.
On the time track are placed five additional patches, which will be handed out to the first player to reach them as the game progresses. The grave inspired neutral token is then placed immediately to the right of the small 2 eyeball-1 space patch, and that’s it. You are ready to get quilting!
Playing With Patches!
On your go, you can either trade your eyeballs for one of the three patches to the right of the grave token, or you can skip. If you go buying batty and purchase something, you’ll pay the allotted price, and move your pumpkin the required number of spaces along the time track (indicated by an egg timer icon). You can then place that patch in any orientation anywhere within your own quilt board. No overlapping or overhanging, mind you!
If you skip the purchasing phase, you’ll pass over your fellow pumpkin, and earn an eyeball for every square on the track you have skipped. If you cross an eyeball on the track at any time (whether due to buying or skipping), you’ll also earn income for each eyeball equal to those printed on the patches already making up your quilt.
The grave token replaces the patch you just picked to show the trio of spooktastic patches available next. Your turn continues until your pumpkin is ahead of your opponent on the time track, and the game ends once you both reach the centre. Note that if you fill a complete 7x7 square on your own quilt at any time, you’ll automatically receive the special bonus tile that is worth 7 points at the end of the game!
Witch Winning Strategy To Pick?!
However you play Patchwork Halloween, it’s a wicked game! And spooktastic strategic skills are a must. You want the pick of the patches every time, of course. But you’ll often spend more in eyeballs and time to get them.
Sometimes, sacrificing a scary shopping spree and skipping a few spaces to earn something is therefore the best option. As well as upping your purchasing power, it could also stop your fang-tastic foe from having their pick of better patches further along the circle.
Other times, you’ll want to zoom ahead on your broomstick to scoop up the more expensive, but eyeball laden patches before your opponent can get them. Witch-ever way you play, Patchwork Halloween is a terrific two-player game offering plenty of tactical play.
Frightful Fun!
Look behind the ghoulishly gleeful artwork and the tense, tight, tactical gameplay of the original Patchwork remains. There are also two sides to the time track for different game experiences, just like the first edition.
There has, however, been a slight adjustment since Uwe first put patch to paper. Nothing that will send shivers down your spine, don’t worry. But those eagle-eyed players amongst you will spot a small but significant change. 14 out of the 33 in total have been adjusted so that cost v reward v quilt coverage is a little more in balance. This is not an in-your-face change, but our final positions have been considerably closer in Halloween than our previous games using either the original and Christmas versions. Now, this could be a coincidence, of course. But I would like to think that the efforts to rejig the gameplay have upped the challenge.
Overall, for a game that is 100% “perfect information” (i.e. nothing hidden from sight), Patchwork Halloween cleverly manages to keep you guessing as to what your Ogre-ish opponent has in store. We love this seasonal edition, and will definitely be playing it long after the pumpkins are put away. Halloween hate-drafting has never brought so much ghoulish glee!
