Product Description

This 2005 entry was the winner of an unprecedented 11 awards including the MENSA Select and the Oppenheim Platinum awards. The game board consists of a pattern of circles called the Flower of Life. This Flower of Life symbol was first inscribed on pyramid walls over 6,000 years ago. Take turns placing shapes on the board to form nine different patterns. The more complex the pattern that you make, the more points you score. While very easy to learn, it is difficult to master. DaVinci's Challenge is a 2 player (or two team) game, for ages 7 and up.Product DescriptionA classic strategy game with hidden mysteries as old as the pyramids.* An ancient game of secret symbols* The pattern of circles on the game board forms the ancient Flower of Life* The same symbol was inscribed on the Pyramid walls by the Egyptians and studied by Leonardo Da Vinci* Players place shapes on the board to reveal mysterious patterns* 2-player strategy game or 4-player team challenge* Takes minutes to learn and a lifetime to masterDelve into the ancient mysteries of the Flower of Life and discover its timeless secrets. The more you play, the more fascinating the game becomes!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8687 in Toys & Games
• Brand: Briar Patch
• Model: BP40101
• Released on: 2006-06-12
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 11.00" h x 2.00" w x 11.00" l, 2.50 pounds

Features

• Game Board
• Score pad
• 144 playign pieces

From the Manufacturer
This 2005 entry was the winner of an unprecedented 11 awards including the MENSA Select and the Oppenheim Platinum awards. The game board consists of a pattern of circles called the Flower of Life. This Flower of Life symbol was first inscribed on pyramid walls over 6,000 years ago. Take turns placing shapes on the board to form nine different patterns. The more complex the pattern that you make, the more points you score. While very easy to learn, it is difficult to master. DaVinci's Challenge is a 2 player (or two team) game, for ages 7 and up.

Customer Reviews

From the Board Games Editor at BellaOnline.com
Da Vinci's Challenge is a new abstract game published by Briarpatch Games and designed by Paul Micarelli. The game is for two or four players aged 8 to adult. The game board is a pattern of circles and triangles which forms a beautiful design known as the Flower of Life, an ancient symbol which was carved on the walls of Egyptian pyramids and later studied in depth by Renaissance man Leonardo da Vinci.

The game rules are simple. Each player is given 72 game pieces (one player is dark and one is light), divided into two shapes: triangles and ovals. The players then take turns placing each of these pieces on the board over an open space which is the same shape. Their goal is to create certain pre-designated symbols within the larger symbol and to prevent the other player from doing so. Different symbols are assigned different point values, the more difficult ones to create are naturally worth more points. The game continues until no more players can make symbols. To play with four players, simply split the players into teams of two and play using normal rules.

Strategy for the game is more complex. Some players may try to rack up large amounts of low-scoring symbols while others may try to forego the low-scoring symbols in order to try to set up some of the larger, higher-scoring symbols. Some players may play offensively, allowing other players to score in favor of setting up their own symbols. Some may play defensively, using a majority of their moves to block other players from playing their symbols. The best strategy is probably to play a combination of low and high-scoring symbols and a combination of offense and defense. However, take your time and figure out which strategy works for you.

Wonderful, Intulectual Game
This game is amazing! I'll admit that I've only played it once, but I am definately going to get it. The game features a pattern of circles that form spaces of ovals and triangles. Players place pieces in these spaces to create set patterns. The game starts simple, but quickly becomes challenging and very thought-stimulating. The game can get extremely strategic, attempting to create complex patterns while blocking your opponent from doing so. Overall, it's a very fun, challenging game.

truly challenging!! for 2 players, aged 10 and up
The object of this game is to replicate ancient Egyptian patterns shown on a sheet that comes with the game. The patterns correspond to different point values (set forth for your convenience on the score sheets that also come with). But, you can use your move to build your own patterns or to block your opponents. That's where the tricks come in. (hehehe) My husband and I got this game for ourselves; we have also played it with a 9 year old. We have all loved it.

Also, it is beautifully made of wood -- it looks so classic I don't mind if it gets left lying around the living room!!

I take issue with the manufacturer's stated age recommendation of 8+. I believe it is misleading -- while the 9 year-old we played it with loved it, she is unusually mathematically gifted. My husband is a pretty serious gamer, good at the sort of abstract spacial reasoning required here, and *he* finds it hard! But hard in a good way.

I also take issue with the description of the game as for 4 players. It is a 2 player game. In theory it could be played with teams, but in practice teams are unwieldy because you need to point to the board.

Notwithstanding those nits, I strongly urge you to buy this game for a child 10 plus. It *must* help develop math skills. And it's fun!