Block and Key has players building a 3D tower…

…in a 2D world.

In Block and Key, adventurers place 3D clay blocks in a centralized raised playing area, with the goal of completing their own request cards. The challenge is made more interesting as each player is limited to their “2D” viewpoint.

Block and Key Game Overview

Quick Rules Summary

There is a game board on two levels. The bottom starts with 9 pieces placed in a 3×3 grid. The top level starts with a single starting piece in the middle.

Player’s each also has 4 key cards in hand.

On a players turn, you either take 3 pieces from one of those rows or columns and refill the spaces or you place a block.

You place a block on the upper level, touching at least one other block. But the block you place must be taller than the block it’s touching.

You can’t go above 6 blocks high and can’t create ledges or overhangs.

After placing, if the pattern you can see from your point of view matches the pattern on any of your key cards, you score them.

Add them to your score pile and draw back up to 4 cards.

How do you win?

After a player scores a number of key cards for the player count the game ends and the most points wins.

Main Mechanisms

This game is all about pattern building.

USP

The unique part of the game is really those bricks. They’re heavy and not like any other board game component I’ve seen.

Theme

I like the idea that you’ve read some hieroglyphics and worked out you need to place blocks to activate keys you’ve found in a temple.

Shame it doesn’t come out in game play.

Setup

You have to build the box which is a bit of a chore. The rest is OK.

Components & Artwork

The blocks are really nice. They’re heavy and feel like real tiles. They remind me of a swimming pool.

The artwork is very minimal but fine.

Ease of Teaching

It’s fairly easy to teach. The placement rules are a bit niggly but otherwise fine.

Similar Games

The canopy board reminds me of Spinderella.

There are a lot of pattern building games.

Block and Key Review

Positives

It looks good on the table.

The blocks are really nice.

The game play is interesting. Trying to create the pattern from your point of view is good…

Negatives

…but frustrating with the overly restrictive placement rules.

It feels very multiplayer solitaire and the only interaction is annoying. You have to keep leaning left and right to confirm a players placement and scoring.

With less than 4 players it doesn’t feel right.

One mishap and that board is gone forever. You could just put the top layer on the table but you’ll have to keep stooping to see the board from the right angle.

Summary

A good idea with nice components, but I’d rather just play a traditional 2D game.

Jesta ThaRogue