Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

For years, Yahtzee has been a fun, portable quick playing dice game a family can enjoy together. Though Qwixx is a different game entirely, I believe it improves on Yahtzee quite a bit. Your score sheet in this game is composed of 4 colored rows with 12 boxes each. Red and yellow are arranged in ascending order (2 through 12) while blue and green are arranged in descending order. The goal of the game is to cross out as many numbers as possible before the end of the game. The more numbers you cross off in a given row the more points you will score. The hitch is that numbers can only be crossed out left to right. For example, if 5 is the first number you cross out on the red row, you are no longer able to cross out the 2, 3, or 4. And if you skip the 6, 7, and 8 and cross out the 9, the numbers you skip are now unavailable to cross out. Here is how a turn works: the active player rolls 6 dice (2 white, 1 each of red, blue, green, and yellow). The active player announces the sum of the 2 white dice and all players are able, if they wish, to cross out that number on any given row they choose. The active player also gets access to a second number: they may choose 1 white die and one of the colored dice and cross out that sum on the row of the colored die they chose. A penalty can affect the active player: if the active player only does not cross out a number on their turn, they receive a penalty worth -5 at game's end. There are some other rules about rows being locked and how the game ends, but it really is a very simple game and the rules, which come with several pictures and examples, will not be hard to understand. Why do I think this is better than Yahtzee? First, it plays much quicker. The dice are only rolled once per turn so even if you are playing with the maximum 5 players, no one will have to wait long for a chance to roll the dice. Also, every player has the opportunity to benefit from every roll thus keeping players involved throughout the game. I also do not find it quite as frustrating as Yahtzee. I never thought rolling 2 6's on your first roll and not getting a single 6 on your next 2 rolls was fun. For some reason in Qwixx, even though it is a dice game, it feels like there are not as many instances where the dice just ruin your shot at winning. Players have a bit more control in deciding how to pursue their score and ending the game on their terms. No, Qwixx is not a highly skilled game where you will develop multiple strategies over time. But it is a fun, fast paced dice game with some interesting decision points you will begin to recognize after a few plays. It is easy to carry and play and can become a staple family activity. Highly recommended.