Viking See-Saw
Designed by: Reiner Knizia
Viking See-Saw is a minimalist dexterity game that comes in pencil-case sized box. Inside are the viking longship, and all the luggage that must be stowed onboard!
Each player is given a bunch of luggage they’ll be trying to load, in the form of gems (plastic) and boxes (metals of varying weight) as well as a cannonball (-not to scale) and viking (wooden). The longship is placed centrally on the table with six wooden chests placed on at the centre decks. You’ll note that the longship is always at a tilt, weighed down in one direction or the other…
On your turn, you simply add one of your items to the ship, with the critical caveat being that it must go onto the deck that is currently tilted upwards, thus increasing the weight there. If the ship tilts over, you must take one of the chests into your own luggage, as well as any luggage that falls off.
If a player successfully loads their last piece of luggage, they win! The other way the game can end is if the sixth and final chest is taken from the longship – in that case, the player with the fewest pieces of luggage left in their supply take the victory… and if there’s a tie, it’s decided by weight (you can use the boat as scales).
Sam says
A very simple idea, like a more accessible Riff Raff, which we played over and over a few years back but is hard to find in the UK. Viking Seesaw is well-made and has enough about it to justify a place in your games library if you like dexterity games: it’s simple fun, often funny, and easy to introduce to pretty much anybody. Does it scale the heights of Riff Raff and others such as Misfits? Not for me, but then those games don’t fit in a coat pocket.
-
Take That!
Your turn can arrive with the ship’s position seemingly irredeemable, but it’s more about fate than nastiness.
-
Fidget Factor!
If anyone needs to ponder this for too long, have them walk the plank.
-
Brain Burn!
It’s all about the weight, Olaf.
-
Again Again!
Viking Seesaw doesn’t scream variety, but there’s enough about it to reward multiple sailings.
