game by her dad for Christmas this year. I had given rave reviews of loving that game incredibly much! I had such horrible visions of busting it out and hating the game because it was nothing like I remembered.Well, let me tell you, we all loved it! We used the simplest level of the game since my daughter really isn't ready for all the reading that comes with the second level. They say the lowest level is good for ages eight and up. The next is for ten and up where you start as an indentured servant and shop from your list. The third is for ages twelve and up where you make your own lists. I honestly don't think my sister and I ever made our own lists, but I do remember insisting that you had to buy everything on your list as part of the game so we could make the game last as long as possible.
So we played through the game. With what many of the reviews said, I expected the game to be quite long and drawn out. I was expecting to be circling the board for a couple of hours at least, but the game was quite short! I was a little disappointed by how quickly it sped by. I can imagine with event cards and shopping lists, it takes a good deal longer. Still, it was a good introduction to the game and the board. Because it's so quick and easy, this could easily become a game that's brought out any time we don't have time for a huge ordeal of a game, but want something to pass the time.
Most importantly, my daughter had a great time with it! She loved the whole feel of the game. Given the game uses two dice instead of one, it's also a good chance to work on her addition skills, even if it is only between two and twelve. She was working those reading skills too! It wouldn't have been so bad, but reading has been rough for her. I'm thrilled that we were able to pull out those skills in a format other than traditional schooling! She was pretty pleased with herself too!
This game has gone back up on the shelf for the night, but I don't think it's going to be one of those games that stays there for long. I have a feeling this game will come down again and again as it's quickly becoming a household favorite already! I didn't have much doubt on that one!
Isn't it amazing how she will read when she wants something? The power of enticement in education.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I am thrilled the game lived up to expectations. There is always the worry that something is not what we remembered. It is wonderful when our memories do not trick us and those we share it with love it as much as we did.
Very true! It's so easy to remember something as much more wonderful (or horrible) than it really was. Time can really put a funny spin on things. Still, I'm not surprised that it turned out well considering how often we played it.
ReplyDeleteI can honestly see some of the complaints that other people have made about the game potentially meaning the game can go on and on forever, get boring, or even frustrating. Still, it is a simple game, and that's what "house rules" are for. People do it all the time with games like Monopoly. I've tried playing that one with "by the book" rules, which was very strange because I'd never done that before! All it takes is a little creativity and figuring out what makes the game more fun!
I definitely agree that it's amazing how well she will read when she wants something! I catch her doing it all the time! I'm letting her get away with the "can't read" thing for now, but I know better!