BANDIDO (2016)

PLAYERS	TIME	DESIGNER	PUBLISHER
1-4	10-15 mins	Martin Nedergaard Andersen	Helvetiq

BANDIDO may come in a small box, but it sure can take up more table space than most other games.

In this solo or cooperative card laying game, players are trying to cut off all possible escape routes for the titular Bandidio.

Each player will have a hand of three cards to choose from. If you’re lucky, it’ll be one of the dead ends. If you’re unlucky and only have cards with multiple junctions, then you’re going to be pushing victory further from reach.

BANDIDO is a fun little opener or pallette cleanser. It’s extremely easy to teach and will be over in 10-15 minutes.

It brings that frantic excitement that a lot of co-ops have where each time you make things worse, you beg forgiveness from your teammates while they scald you. And then they find themselves just as forced into a horrible move.

The game is light on tactics. Luck of the deal will govern success.

I’ve actually found that I have more fun with BANDIDO when I lose. It brings more chaotic joy.

When we’ve won in the past, most of those triumphs come so soon that it almost knocks the wind out of us that it’s over before we really get going.

And that’s odd for a game; to like the loss more than the win.

We don’t play it as much now, but it’s ease of getting to the table means it’s always high on the list for showing to those that haven’t played it, or for games nights with non-gamers.

And while it’s in a nice small box for ease of travel, you might want to aim for a big table to play it on.

Or start on the floor.

A small and simple game that brings good co-op fun on short bursts, but can get old for those wanting more depth.