Scribbly Gum: Review
Information:
Mechanics: Roll and Write, Print and Play
Player Age: 6+ Player Count: 1 - 100 PlayersTime to Play: 20 Minutes
Game Designer: Phil Walker-Harding
Player Age: 6+
Game Designer: Phil Walker-Harding
Introduction:
Postmark Games specialises in print and play games that have a good longevity of life to them. They do this by releasing new maps with different rulesets after the game is released. This time they have partnered with a new company called ‘Joey', that is based here in Australia, to re-release a previously released flip and write game, now performing as a roll and write. Scribbly Gum refers to the bark scribble on eucalyptus trees that are formed through baby moths burrowing underneath. In this game you are feeding your baby moth, trying to keep the three types of food even to score at the end of every round. You will also focus on completing three communal achievements during the game. The best points for these achievements will be awarded to the first player completing the requirement.
Game Anatomy:
Trees:
Currently released are three different tree sheets, each with its own configuration of food layout and achievements. Scattered on these trees are food icons with several different options of lines connecting up, down, left and right to other food options. Throughout the tree map will also be several dotted lines that don't follow the standard line paths. These allow a beneficial way to pursue particular areas of the tree faster than normal.
Food:
The tree contains three food options of nuts, blossoms or leafs. Any time these are gained they will be crossed out on the meal tracker. If a player reaches the bottom of any food type on the meal tracker they will gain a bonus of three points.
If you fill a circle on the meal tracker with four arrows around it you will immediately unlock a bonus movement. The map will have varying amounts of the same type of food in a bundle of 1, 2 or 3 food. If a player reaches any of the water on the map they will immediately gain one meal of any type.
Dice:
In the original game the movement was determined by a deck of cards. In this version, however, players will choose one of the two dice rolled. Each die face corresponds to a different movement as shown below.
Achievements:
Achievements give players a scoring potential to race towards. The first players to meet the achievement will score the large points, where other players receive a lesser amount when they reach the achievement. Each tree sheet has a different assortment of achievements and in each game the players will collectively choose three achievements out of the six to use for the game.
Setup:
- Each player gains a marker and two dice are placed in the centre of the play area.
- Together you select the same tree sheet to play on and three achievements to use.
How to Play:
A Turn:
The game consists of three rounds, each containing seven turns. On a turn the two dice are rolled and each player will choose one to match to the movement on the chart. Players are able to choose the same die. The players then draw their line from an already filled section on the tree; filling in a new food section. This food will then be charted on the meal tracker.
End of Round and Final Scoring:
At the end of each round, players will score 1 point for each meal collected. A meal consists of one nut, one blossom and one leaf. At the end of the game players will total the points scored for meals on each round, any points for reaching the bottom of any food column, and any achievements earned. Whoever has the most points is the winner.
Final Thoughts:
- Due to the quick gameplay, there is a tension in how best to use the directions you have available.
- Map and achievement variation which will likely be added to in the future.
Scribbly Gum is an easy to learn game that is perfect for it’s young target audience. However, the game does have a depth of optimisation for the parents playing too. The game is 21 turns long, which sounds like a lot, but in reality its not. Each turn you are trying to get the most food possible but you must also factor in the achievement you’re pursuing. Keeping the food balanced on the meal tracker to score decent points at the end of each round is a good focus as collecting one food type can be good for achievements but detrimental scoring. If you are a roll and write connoisseur, Scribbly Gum doesn't bring anything new to the genre, but it does make it approachable for the the younger players in your family while keeping everyone else thoroughly engaged. Lastly, it’s a learning tool for baby moth lifestyles and their environments.
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