Dingo Bingo!

Dingo's Dream (or Dingo Bingo, as I like to call it) is a fun and simple tile placement game that can be adjusted in difficulty according to your desires. I am a bit late to play this little gem, but I finally had the chance to try it out at the new venue of The Dice Saloon in Brighton and bought it after one game. In this 2 - 4 player game Dingo and his pals have managed to get lost on walkabout, which is pretty easy to do in the outback so I don't judge them. As a player, you must visit the animals dreams and guide them back home from the fragmented dreamscape clues in their minds.

Players choose one of the four different animals, then they each set up 5x5 grids of their chosen tiles with the animal side down, but keeping the tile with their animals name to one side as this is used on the first turn. A Dream Card is revealed, and the aim of this game is to have your tiles animal side face-up and matching the Dream Card layout. One player is the Dingo Bingo dealer, turning the Walkabout cards to reveal the next tile to flip. The cards are identified by five different colours and five different landscapes, whichever tile corresponds with the card revealed by the dealer is then flipped over to reveal the animal side, then players slide the extra tile in their hand into the grid, pushing out a tile to use in their next turn and keeping the grid 5x5.

The introduction of hazard tokens stirs things up a little. Amongst the Dream Cards you will find a Hazard Card, with symbols showing various ways to set up hazards on the Dream Card. Using this as a guide, you can choose a layout and place the four brown tokens on one of the Dream Cards. In order to win this time, you must have none of your animal tiles on the hazard spaces on completion of your dreamscape. This also means that it is possible for both players to lose, so if that happens then you just play again. Interestingly, if there is a draw then there is no tie-breaker, everyone could be a winner in these dreams! Spiritual fulfilment and rites of passage will be celebrated.

Dingo's Dreams is compact, easy to set up and understand, quick to play and a great introduction to board gaming. The beautiful illustrations by Ryan Lakat really set the tone for this game, and after many plays I can happily say that this is a great and easy family game, and the advanced options can shake it up a bit. There are strategy and puzzle-solving aspects. Even though the tiles are randomly placed in the beginning, it is then your job to shift them around with each new clue called out. I first came across bingo elements in a modern game with Rise of Augustus, and even though I find normal bingo quite boring, I am just drawn to these kind of games. Beating your opponent to the finish and yelling your animal's name in victory is very satisfying, and the theme of sifting through the lost animal's deep dreams to help them find their way home tugs on my heartstrings, so give this game a go and see if you can get your critter back!    


Marisa     

The Dice Saloon

Brighton is always an exciting and unique place to visit; with it's fusion of British seaside scenery, heady bohemian atmosphere and the colourful attractions that echo the city's nightlife. The lanes are bursting with vibrancy and flavour, even in the hidden recesses there are places to delight and tempt you (yes, Choccywoccydoodah, I am talking to you!). But now there is another reason to visit, and that is the new board games café - The Dice Saloon!

This establishment boasts a sizeable area at 2,000 sq. foot whilst catering for all forms of table top gaming, and hosting tournaments and events in their extremely comfortable setting. There are designated areas for war games, RPG tables and board games in the café. There is a growing library of games to play ,that has multiplied since my first visit. There is a shop section selling a vast array of games and war gaming merchandise and materials, and of course there is the café which offers delicious snacks and homemade treats. The friendly and knowledgeable staff make the experience even more memorable, as it feels like you are in your local games shop, chilling and playing fun games. There is something most familiar and welcoming about The Dice Saloon that makes me want to do the long drive just to spend some hours in that environment. There is a good selection of games in the library that whet a variety of appetites. Ah, I could quite easily camp out all day and night in a board games café, as long as the food keeps on coming to fuel me! Constant gaming and occasional eating are top priorities in my life right now. 

During my first visit to The Dice Saloon, a shipment of new games had just arrived and I was one of the lucky ones to unbox and play Blood Rage, which was great as I am still eagerly awaiting my copy. My other favourite game of the day was Forbidden Island and that has gone on my Christmas list!

Blood Rage is an epic strategic game with the mechanics of area control and card drafting. The beautifully sculpted miniatures and fine artwork make this game aesthetically pleasing as well as very enjoyable to play. I gained points by dying and having my warriors placed in Valhalla. Points for being killed? Yes please! Very handy for fodder like myself.    

  

Forbidden Island is a co-operative game. I love this game, not just because it has fantastic artwork and great components but because it plays so smoothly and the experience feels different every time. Players draw cards to reveal which part of the land will flood, the flooded tiles are then turned over. If they draw the same card again and it has not been saved then it sinks. You must collect ancient relics before the lands they are resting in sink, and you must keep the helicopter escape pad safe. This is great fun, a race against time and water.

I made a few purchases from the shop and topped up my pretty dice collection, adding some lurid colours to the jar. I have visited this cafe twice now, and hope to go there again before Christmas to take over another table for the day. The Dice Saloon is really is an excellent venue to visit, so next time you are in Brighton why not drop by, sink into the comfy seats and enjoy some games in good company.   

Thanks for reading!

Marisa xx