Game Review: Pillage & Plunder

By Tom Vasel
July 22, 2006

Publisher: Acorn Games / chrisvnh.bizland.com
Designer: Christopher Villeneuve
Price: 25.00 US$

Rating: 7 / 10

The name Pillage and Plunder: the Viking Longship Game (Acorn Games Studios, 2005 - Christopher Villeneuve) really conjures up the wrong images - it’s not a game of conquering and war. Instead, it’s a classy-looking dexterity game, in which players attempt to balance barrels on a rocking ship.

First of all, let me express just how nice the entire ensemble looks - something that drew me to check it out in the first place. The wooden barrels to be placed on the ship are polished wooden cylinders, and they, the ship, and the die have a homemade feel about them. Even the rules are printed on what is made to look like parchment, giving the game a vintage appearance. The ship itself looks like a toy from the 18th century and has several holes in the back of it, on which two wooden “sails” can be placed in different positions. The game is a great masterpiece for one’s coffee table or bookshelf, which is a good thing considering that the box (with plastic top) won’t do a good job holding the game.

On a player’s turn, they simply roll the die and place a barrel of matching color (there are three sizes - thick, medium, and thin) onto the boat. The player to make any barrels fall off the boat loses. If somehow players manage to get all eighteen barrels on the boat, then they start removing them. Personally, I don’t how this is possible - I’ve spent a lot of time, and the most barrels I could stack on the boat without it tipping is fifteen. The game will obviously be compared to other dexterity games such as Jenga, but it has some advantages that make it worth picking up.

- It looks pretty good on ones shelf - becoming a decoration as well as a game.
- Games are extremely quick, with players able to play multiple times without tiring of the game.
- Setup is easy - simply put the pile of barrels near the ship, and roll the dice.
- It’s HARD, but it doesn’t seem that difficult when you’re placing the barrels on the ship. Suddenly, the ship will tip without warning, giving everyone a good laugh (save possibly for the person causing it).

It’s possible that I might tire of the game after a while; but that wouldn’t bother me, as it’s a good conversation piece and a work of art. Children can play as easily as adults, and it’s a very pleasant foray into the dexterity genre. I recommend it highly to anyone looking to have a fantastic looking game as part of their décor.

Pictures - Click the picture for a larger version
	The Game

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