NuzzleTech Mancala Deluxe
Looking for a new game of skill, strategy, foresight, and intelligence? Try Mancala!
While it can be confusing at first, Mancala soon reveals itself to be a deep and intriguing game of great skill and depth.
The board consists of six pots on each side of the table, and one larger store for each side.
The players take turns to seed from one of the 'pots' on their side of the board. These seeds are placed one by one in the next pots in an anticlockwise manner. Any seeds seeded to the store are scored by the player. Should the seeding end of an empty pot, the player captures any seeds in the opposite pot. If the seeding ends on the pot nearest the player's store, the player gets another turn.
While simple, the subtlety and complexity that arises from these rules makes for an absorbing and fascinating game.
NuzzleTech Mancala Deluxe is a two player, fully scripted version of this great game.
The number of seeds that each pot contains to start the game determines the level of complexity of the game. Each additional seed per pot increases the complexity exponentially.
NuzzleTech Mancala Deluxe allows 4 levels of play - 3 seed (easy), 4 seed (normal), 5 seed (advanced), and 6 seed (expert).
Each level may be played with or without the use of the 'Pie Rule'. This is a simple rule that equalises the advantage of the first player to play.
In addition, each level may be played 'Cross Mancala' style. This is a mind-twisting modern rule that increases the complexity of the game to dizzy heights.
Together these options make for 16 distinct game variations, offering many hours of enjoyment. All options are set from simple menus.
The game comes in a elegant and sturdy table design, with two chairs.
Permissions are no copy/no mod, trans ok.
- 3,4,5, or 6 seed game.
- Optional 'Pie Rule'.
- 'Cross Mancala' option.
- 16 game variations.
- Menu driven options.
Interface is Difficult!
I and an experienced gamer had difficulty getting the game started (we finally succeeded by clicking on a table leg). It then took a long time to figure out where to click to move pieces (you don't click on the pieces or in the area of the "bins" but rather on one thin edge of the bins). Also, the arrow that indicates whose turn it is pointed to the wrong person. Essentially the game is "playable" but not intuitive and would not work well in a place intended for random passers-by.
