Games you don’t have to buy are fun, but I enjoy board games and card games, too. I thought I’d start writing reviews of some of my favorites. Maybe it’ll help you if you’re searching for the perfect game.
Game: Set by Set Enterprises (Wikipedia, commission link)
What it is: A card game played with two or many people (or even just you) that involves looking for sets of shapes, colors, and patterns. Cards are spread out twelve at a time on the table, and all players look at the cards and try to find sets of three, according to similarities and differences between the shapes, colors, and patterns on the cards.
My review: My first experience with this game was in sixth grade math class. I hate math, but I loved this game so much that I went home and made my own version with three-by-five cards and Crayola markers. I played with my homemade ghetto version for years, until my mom got me a real game for Christmas—when I was in college.
I love the concentration in searching for sets. The definition of a set is actually a little complicated, but once you get the hang of it, you can spot them quick. I think I like it so much because it involves colors and patterns, not numbers (bleh). The game is easy enough for older elementary-school kids to play, but it’s fun for adults, as well. It’s not loud or especially exciting (unless you’re playing with a big group and sets are spotted super fast), but if you’re looking for a thinking/perception game that’s fun for kids and adults alike, something quiet and brain stimulating, it’s perfect. I highly recommend it. 🙂
(And if you buy the game through the link above, you help support the Game Gal :))