Simple Fun with Glyphics: A Board Game Review by Dale Yu

Designer: Eric Olsen
Publisher: The Op
Players: 3-99
Age: 8+
Time: 15 minutes
Played with review copy provided by publisher

Tired of playing charades? Not good at sketching pictures? Glyphics is just right for you. Pick a word from your card, make it with shapes, and the first one to guess it right gets a point. It comes with lots of game pieces and many word ideas, so each night of play feels fresh and exciting, always different.

To begin, choose if you want the easy cards in orange or the regular ones in blue. Each card has six words for the game, no matter which kind. Spread out the 40 Glyphics pieces on the table.

One person starts as the Builder. The others are Guessers. The Builder picks a word from their card that no one has guessed right yet. They say if it’s a thing, an action, or a saying.

Start a 60-second timer, using your phone since it’s not in the box. The Builder uses the Glyphics pieces to make a picture. All Guessers can call out ideas, and the first correct one stops the round. Then, the Builder and that Guesser get 2 points for a saying, or 1 point for a thing or action. Others get nothing. If time runs out, no points for anyone.

The Builder spot moves to the next person around the table, and do it again. Keep going until everyone has tried five words from their card. The one with the most points is the winner.

My thoughts on the game

Glyphics is like those drawing party games, but it plays nicely. The fun part is using the small plastic shapes to help people guess. It reminds me of a card version of drawing games, but without edges on cards blocking your builds.

Each round goes quick because the words are everyday ones. Usually, someone guesses before time ends. So, most turns finish in less than a minute and award points.

It’s very easy to learn and play, and anyone can join. For kids, use the easy orange cards, and save blue ones for grown-ups. Still, some words on cards are harder than others. If you like to win big, a tough card might leave you behind.

There’s not much more to add about it. Choose a word, build it with shapes, score when guessed. Do that over and over. Great for parties or family holidays. Not so much for serious game nights, but you probably knew that.

Until your next appointment,