Hue is one of eight in Perplext Games’ Pack O Games. Each game in the series is about the size of a stick of gum and retails for $6. The company also has a carrying case available.
The game design and art is by Chris Handy. Two to five people ages 8 and up can play, and a game takes about 10 minutes.
But can such a tiny game deliver?
How it Works:
Players get four or five cards, depending on how many people are playing. Each card has three colors, either in long rectangles or in squares. They also get a card with a poison symbol in the middle.
Three starting cards are laid in the middle of the table. Players place one card next to at least one square segment already placed. It doesn’t have to match. Players can also cover one segment with one segment from their card.
When the players have played all but one of their cards, it’s time to count the score. The last card in a player’s hand determines which colors on the table that player can count, and the middle color is worth double. Thin rectangles are worth one point; squares are worth three. The largest contiguous section of each color is counted unless a poison card is touching that color. Then it is worth nothing.
The player with the most points wins.
Why you might buy Hue:
At $6, Hue is a great bargain.
It can easily fit in a purse or even a pocket, making it perfect for taking anywhere.
Despite its small size, Hue is a great game. You have to try to figure out what your opponents are building while maximizing the cards in your hand.
The game is short, so you can play multiple times. And the length feels just right.
It’s also pretty. If you like playing with paint swatches, Hue will be good fun.
Hue is like a puzzle that’s always changing. You have to adjust as other players thwart your plans or add to a color you have in your hand.
There’s quite a bit of opportunity to bluff in Hue. You could make it look like you’re trying to build on one color while working on another.
This is a great game for families. Younger players will be able to understand it.
It also plays just as well with two as with five.
Why you might not buy Hue:
This is a quick little card game. If you’re looking for a long, complicated game, Hue isn’t it.
It is really tiny. If you’re prone to lose things, you’ll have to find a special place to put it. (Or just buy the whole set and the case that goes with it.)
The gameplay can be a little mean. If you see your opponent working on something, you will want to poison a color or cover it up. You could decide not to play that way, but it won’t be as interesting.
Hue doesn’t have a theme. You’re playing with colors, but you won’t be telling a story.
My conclusions:
I really like Hue. I love that it’s a game I can pull out at a coffee shop or a restaurant and have it finished before my order is finished.
It’s beautiful, and it works really well.
Plus, you can’t beat the price.
Full disclosure: I received a review copy of Hue from Perplext Games. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest opinions.
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