Pathfinder (1974)

About this game

This game could be described as maze battleships. The game has 2 phases, set up and play. During set up, each player has a hidden board on which they set up, not a set of ships, but a maze with small rectangular plastic walls. They place a sitting man figure somewhere in the maze. During play, each player takes turns to call out steps along the opponents maze (blind) until they bump into a wall. They have a duplicate board on which they track their knowledge of the opponents hidden maze. Then the other player goes. The game consists of a nifty plastic case that closes up to form a "suitcase" for storage and transport. The original German version Sniff included many variants, including one in which the treasures are protected by ditches and guard dogs.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 1.2/5 this is a light game — explain it in a few minutes, good for a table that has not played much.
• Age. The publisher suggests 8 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.