Kris Hall: A Small World for Kids

It was never a big question for me if I would like Philippe Keyaerts’ Small World or not.  I liked Vinci, and all the buzz indicated that the new version was not that different from the old one.  The change in theme didn’t bother me because Vinci was never a real simulation in the first place.  I was happy to trade in the old historical theme for a fantasy one with bigger, brighter components.

No, the question for me was: will it function as a children’s game?  Will my daughters like it?  These girls (ages 6 and 8) have happily played a dozen games of Ghost Stories, and a few games of Agricola, so it is clear that their minds can handle moderately-complex adult games.  (Although it is my 6-year-old who grasps rules and strategy much faster; my 8-year-old will play Agricola merely to gather a maximum number of animals and victory points be damned).

I knew they would have no problems with the basic rules, but I wondered if the various special abilities would throw them.  I needn’t have worried; these are girls who have memorized 77 varieties of Pokemon, and all their evolved forms.  One or two explanations was all that was required.  In fact, in my last game, I tried to explain to my 6-year-old that she needed three units to take over a territory.  She responded: “Daddy, you forgot I have Commando.  It only takes two guys!” She was right.

In fact, guess who forgot all about his Orcs’ ability to bivouac in the last game?  I was so busy trying not to forget their normal ability that I forgot about their special powers.  It was a mistake that probably cost me the game.  I ended up with a point total only a few points below my 6-year-old.  She was not a military genius; she held on to her beloved Amazons for a turn longer than she should have, and this clearly cost her substantial points.  But I out-blundered her and missed my chance to have my Orcs defend at their maximum potential.

Oh well.  My 8-year-old hasn’t won a game so she has lost interest in Small World.  But my 6-year-old is eager to crush Daddy’s armies again and again.  Although I am ready for a re-match, I am dreading the inevitable disappointment in her little face when her luck runs out.  Because if Daddy can’t beat her, Mommy probably will…

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