My kids love to play board games, so in mid August 2011 when we received Tri-Cross we were thrilled.
We received this standard board game and the travel or eco-edition which comes in a bag with a cloth board instead of the hard cardboard seen above.
This game was produced by "Games for Competitors." You can view their website at: http://www.gamesforcompetitors.com/
Tri-Cross is available in 3 different versions. The standard board game is $24.95. The wooden version is $35.95. The eco-edition which can be easily taken on long trips is $19.95.
When I first received this game, the kids opened it up right away hoping to play. When I took out the directions and began to read, I was immediately confused. The website also has directions and frequently asked questions, and they sent along a CD tutorial as well. Once I was able to understand the directions, the game was very easy to play.
You can easily play with 2, 3, or 4 players. The directions give rules for game play with each. The directions also give rules for easy play and more advanced play. I appreciate this because I am always looking for the next thing since my kids catch on pretty quickly. Once the directions are understood and you choose your colors, game play is simple. Sometimes the game goes rather quickly, and sometimes it takes maybe 20-30 minutes. I noticed while playing that it caused siblings who were not in the center waiting to win to cooperate with one another to get the other sibling (or mom) out of the center tri-cross.
The first person to play is determined by pulling a colored piece out of the bag. Each person puts one of their pieces in the bag. The person whose color is pulled is the one who starts the game. There is a rule that states, "You may not turn over your piece without being challenged. If you turn over your piece or your opponent's piece when it should not have been, you automatically lose the game." There are a few other rules that speak to fairness and honor. I appreciate this in rules for a game.
There are a number of skills that this game is said to develop such as logical thinking, cause and effect, abstraction, and memorization, among others. I could see the thinking going on in my kids' heads as they played their pieces. They were trying to remember which piece they were moving if it was still turned over. They were trying to figure which one of an opponent's pieces was left when all the rest were turned over. They were trying to figure out how they could kick their opponent of the center and get themselves in.
While I thought the game went too quickly sometimes, I agree it is a fun and exciting game the kids enjoy playing while learning vital skills without even knowing it. Playing the other variations described in the instructions would add to the enjoyment and extend game play.
The website is helpful for rules, FAQ, reviews, details on the eco-edition, and a page where you can purchase the games. Once clicking, you are taken to PayPal.
Their contact information is:
Games for Competitors
3069 McCall Drive, Suite 1
Atlanta, GA 30340
Phone: 770-452-7987
Fax: 770-452-8138
DISCLAIMER: I received this product at no charge in order to use it and provide an honest evaluation.
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