Attakube (2001)

About this game

In Attakube a player secretly places 7 of his 12 cubes on the last row of a 7x7 board. A pictogram indicating a special power is etched on one face of each cube. A cube is always placed on the board with the pictogram facing its owner. When it's his turn a player can either move a piece one space orthogonally, activate a piece's special power or introduce one of his spare pieces. When a special power is activated, the cube is turned so that the pictogram faces up. A player scores points by exiting the board through the first row of his opponent. Exiting in the middle of the board is worth 3 points, exiting elsewhere is worth 1 or 2 points. The first player to score 5 points wins the game.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 2.2/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 8 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.