Skyrockets: Review
Information:
Mechanics: Real-Time, Scenario, Cooperative, Variable SetupPlayer Age: 10+Player Count: 2 - 5 PlayersTime to Play: 10 MinutesGame Designer: Charlie McCarronGame Artists: SillyJellie
Introduction:
In skyrockets, players are cooperatively trying to keep the sand flowing in the five sand timers without them running dry. This is done by playing a card from your hand and flipping the two timers denoted on the card. The countdown timer needs to be flipped four times in order to reach the end of the track and everyone wins. Run out of sand on any of the other timers a total of three times and everyone loses. This is the base concept but there are an astounding 30 scenarios for players to master, each with a different twist and method of playing.
Game Anatomy:
Firework Cards:
Each fireworks card denotes two timers. When the cards are played (unless the scenario rule states otherwise) these are the timers that will be flipped when revealed.
Timers:
There are six sand timers with varying times:
Red is 30 seconds
Orange is 40 seconds
Yellow is 50 seconds
Green is 60 seconds
Blue is 70 seconds
Purple is 90 seconds
Scenarios:
There are 30 scenarios broken down into 10 groups that share similar vibes. Each scenario explains which timers start the game activated, which timer is on the countdown track, how many cards players have, the conditions of how to draw cards, as well as any other ruleset that changes the game.
If we look at Scenario 3 for example:
- The orange timer will be on the countdown track.
- The green and purple timers start inactive.
- Players begin the game with five cards.
- Players don't draw at the end of their turn, they only redraw back to five cards if they play a card randomly from someone else's hand.
- Players cannot mention what is on a specific card to the other players.
Countdown Track:
The timer on the countdown track works differently. Players actually want this timer to run out as it can only be moved can forward once they play a matching card and the sand is no longer falling. Otherwise, if you play a matching card while there's still sand it negates your chance to flip it. Once this timer is flipped four times the players win the game.
Setup:
The setup will be based on each scenario. The scenarios can be played in gradual ascending order or randomly.
How to Play:
Each scenario will change how you play in various ways. The base game is turn-based and on a player's turn they will play a singular card from their hand, flipping those two sand timers.
The player doesn’t have to play their card straight away on their turn, they can wait until they are ready. If the countdown timer is flipped onto the last space the players will win. If any of the other timers run out of sand a total of three times then the players lose.
Final Thoughts:
- Fast, frantic, fun.
- Different times on the timers keep the game frenzied.
- Vast array of replayable scenarios that do feel drastically different and creative.
Skyrockets is an exhilarating game with an easy concept of keeping the timers going while waiting for the main timer to deplete. It is the scenarios that brings this game to life for me. Every time I play this game the engine is mostly the same but the challenge feels vastly different. The best part about the challenge setup is not only do they reward you with an unlockable package for completing all 30 scenarios, but each scenario is also infinitely replayable. This is a real-time game that is played in under 10 minutes, is easily portable and great with any player count.
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