Review: Five Crowns:: Review: Still fun after ten plays? My pros and cons

by OldSoulDean

This review is inspired by BGG user, [user=Olafslomp]Olaf Slomp[/user], and I was given permission to use their style of review as my own. I highly recommend you check out reviews posted by Olaf!

Even though long, extensive reviews seem to be the most popular reviews on BGG, I often find myself only reading the conclusion of a review because I want a high-level summary of why someone likes a game. These quick summaries give me insights into why this game may or may not be worthwhile.

I prefer quick overviews where I can get some insights into why this game may or may not be attractive to me.

My reviews are targeted at a similar audience, and consist of my pros and cons coming from:
1) First impressions (before playing my first game)
2) Impressions after the first game
3) Current feelings (after at least 10 plays)

First impressions

+ I come from a family of card players. The board game renaissance was just on the horizon more than 20 years ago but a new, unique game that was card based appealed to my parents, brother, and I.
+ The game seemed accessible.
+ The new twist on suits and types of cards was something fun to try outside a standard 52 card deck.

Impressions after the first game

+ Trying to find sets and runs was really fun.
+ / - A lot of this game is luck based. Like many card games, you can play right but just not get the cards you need.
+ The wild mechanic is a nice addition (based on the number of cards each round).

Current Feelings (over 25 plays in)

+ If you are a hardcore strategic gamer, and that is all that you like, this game is not for you. This is the type of game that lends itself to being background noise. Players can catch up on life, have conversations, all while playing a pretty easy game.
+ Due to the ease of the game, it is very accessible.
+ / - There isn’t as much variance in the game, sometimes it feels like the game takes awhile to play, but that depends again on the luck of what cards you are drawing.

Final Thoughts (Are they ever truly final?)

I play this game with 9 year olds and 75 year olds. It’s a great game to gather just about anyone at a table and spend time together. When I switched my mindset from “strategic” to luck based, and acknowledged that I am at the table to build and maintain relationships, this game really shines. It’s easy to pick up and hopefully allows you to spend a little over an hour talking with those you care about. While I don’t actively turn to this game on “regular” game nights, nor do I rate as high as some of my favorites, it stays in my collection as it has a place.