Let's check this jungle... maybe there is a baby dragon hidding here
Dragomino
Designer: Bruno Cathala, Marie Fort, Wilfried Fort
Artist: Maeva Da Silva, Christine Dechamps
Published: 2020
Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 15 Mins
BGG Rating: 7.8
BGG Ranking: 1794
Publisher: Blue Orange
Mechanisms: Open Drafting, Pattern Building, Tile Placement
Game Description:
The big moment has arrived. You have been named "dragon trainer", and you have the chance to meet them on a mysterious island. But you are not the only trainer sent to these lands. Who among you will discover the most baby dragons?
Quick play overview:
Players will place domino tiles to build their own island, choosing from the available ones. Starting with 4 for 1st player and down to only 1 tile fort he 4th Player. You would want to go sooner in the turn than later…
When you connect two dominos with the same terrain type, you will draw an egg from that color pile.
If it's a baby dragon, good for you, you just got a point. If it's an empty egg shell, no point but you will be the first player for next round… well unless the next player in the round also finds an empty egg shell.
Some colors have more tiles but also more empty shells, so it's your decision if you want to take bigger or smaller risks, but at the end of the day, everyone should have plenty of baby dragons on their islands.
Final thoughts:
This is a children game and the rules are very simple. That said.. the game is actually quite fun also for parents.
Our kids just didn't want to stop playing this wonderful game… and the adults didn't actually mind playing this game over and over again.
SCORE:
Gameplay & How often I want to play it: 8/10
It's a game targeted at children and as such it has a great gameplay. Turns are easy and quick so even the ants-in-the-pants children will not get bored between turns.
I'm always happy to play a game with kids, but this one I would go so far as to suggest it.
Art & Graphic Design: 10/10
This game is beautiful. I can't tell you how many times I heard »oooooohhhhsss« from our daughter expecting empty shells, but in reality she was saying how cute the baby dragons are.
Graphic desing is clean and sharp. Even the 2 green tiles are distinct enough that players shouldn't make any mistakes.
Rules & Complexity: 8/10
Rules are so simple and perfect weight for kids.
There is enough choice between tiles for kids to make some tough decisions or get more right now or take a color that will benefit them in the future.
Theme & Mechanism fit: 7/10
Dragon trainer walking around the island in search of baby dragons is a cute theme for kids.
Mechanisms do fit the theme well. Of course you can find the frost dragon only if you venture deep into the frozen parts of the island.
Fun & Replayability: 6/10
Kids loved it. Adults liked it. A great game for families.
Replayability is low, as there is no discovery in this game. You will see everything there is on the first play.