Mentalis (1977)

About this game

Mentalis is a tile-laying game in which players attempt to score points by completing squares of their color. The tiles, however, are reversible, and only the top side is seen by the opponent when initially placed. Once down a tile may be flipped by either player, but flipping a tile may reverse its color, spring a trap, or present new movement and capturing opportunities. Components are 50 double-sided tiles: 10 red/green 5 red/red 5 green/green 5 red/blue 5 green/blue 5 red/yellow 5 green/yellow 5 red/black 5 green/black One board, one set of rules, two tile racks.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 2.3/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 10 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.