Robot Master (2008)

About this game

A game of strategical placement as players have a deck of 36 robots with six cards each of values 0 to 5, and they want to maximize the value of their rows or columns of robots on a 5x5 grid. The value of a row is the sum of the robots in it, except that a pair of identical robots in a row is worth ten times the face value of a single robot (two 3s gives you 30 points, but of course two 0s is still worthless); place three robots of the same type in a row, however, and they're worth 100 points no matter which type they are. The goal isn't to max out your score, but rather to beat your opponent as whoever has the lowest-valued row or column at game's end loses. Since 11 of the cards don't come into play, you have to play the odds on which robots will shuffle your way. Online Play Jijbent.nl (turn-based, Dutch) YourTurnMyTurn.com (English - turn based) Mindgames.com (solitaire version)

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 1 to 4. It has a designed solo mode.
• Rules load. At 1.3/5 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.