Recently, I talked about how Chess is the thinking man’s game, and today I’d like to talk about another strategy game: TAK: A Beautiful Game. It is a bit simpler in game play, but just as complex when it comes to the strategy required to play, and play well. TAK is a modern thinking man’s game, and I am a modern thinking man… The game requires great patience once you get the hang of it, because one wrong move and the game could be over. While chess has elegant pieces and a classic beauty, TAK may seem perhaps a bit more simple, but it is indeed a great strategy game.
Patrick Rothfuss, the author behind the The Kingkiller Chronicle series, created a vague description of TAK in his book, The Wise Man’s Fear, and described it as ‘…the best sort of game, simple in its rules, complex in its strategy.’ While the gameplay and overall design of the game is missing from his work of fiction, he and James Ernest came together to create a real life version of TAK for everyone to enjoy. And while it might be a little different than you’re used to, it is fun once you get a feel for the game and understand the rules.
These days, when I’m traveling, I’m almost always venturing out into the wilderness to camp with family and friends, and even though there’s lots to keep us occupied, playing games has become a big part of our bonding time, while in Nature. Sure, we hike and explore, and build a fire the natural way, and we watch birds and wildlife, but there’s just something beautiful about connecting everyone for some fun, traditional sport. My family and I play all sorts of goofy games, but chess has become a staple in our travel, and now TAK is becoming the latest craze.
TAK consists of a square game board that can range in size, and there are three shapes of wood pieces: capstones and player one and two’s game pieces, each shaped differently. The player pieces can either stand up or lay flat; if they stand up, they are a blocking wall, and if they lie flat, they can be stacked. The object of the game is to connect one end of the board with the opposite end with your game pieces. Capstones are unique in several ways, and is better described in the game manual, but they can flatten walls and command a presence among all other pieces on the board. The reason this game looks simple, but isn’t, is because you are simply making a road, but there are a ton of ways to do it, and rarely will you win or lose the same way. And even the smallest of moves can have a massive affect on who wins or loses.
I tried out the traditional board game version, complete with a double-sided Tavern Board/Selas Flower Board, which allow the game to be as small as 3x3, and up to 6x6. The larger the game, the longer and more complex it will be. The makers of the game have other versions, and you can make your own. The game board available online for purchase is a finely finished, and striking game, as the board looks great and the pieces are finished wood. They also have a small, travel version that’s perfect for backpackers and all sorts of travelers who value luggage space and weight. After playing TAK: A Beautiful Game, I found it to be a fun and challenging modern strategy game, which I am thankful for.
If you would like to find out more about TAK: A Beautiful Game, click here.
Article written by Brandon Scott
These days, when I’m traveling, I’m almost always venturing out into the wilderness to camp with family and friends, and even though there’s lots to keep us occupied, playing games has become a big part of our bonding time, while in Nature. Sure, we hike and explore, and build a fire the natural way, and we watch birds and wildlife, but there’s just something beautiful about connecting everyone for some fun, traditional sport. My family and I play all sorts of goofy games, but chess has become a staple in our travel, and now TAK is becoming the latest craze.
TAK consists of a square game board that can range in size, and there are three shapes of wood pieces: capstones and player one and two’s game pieces, each shaped differently. The player pieces can either stand up or lay flat; if they stand up, they are a blocking wall, and if they lie flat, they can be stacked. The object of the game is to connect one end of the board with the opposite end with your game pieces. Capstones are unique in several ways, and is better described in the game manual, but they can flatten walls and command a presence among all other pieces on the board. The reason this game looks simple, but isn’t, is because you are simply making a road, but there are a ton of ways to do it, and rarely will you win or lose the same way. And even the smallest of moves can have a massive affect on who wins or loses.
I tried out the traditional board game version, complete with a double-sided Tavern Board/Selas Flower Board, which allow the game to be as small as 3x3, and up to 6x6. The larger the game, the longer and more complex it will be. The makers of the game have other versions, and you can make your own. The game board available online for purchase is a finely finished, and striking game, as the board looks great and the pieces are finished wood. They also have a small, travel version that’s perfect for backpackers and all sorts of travelers who value luggage space and weight. After playing TAK: A Beautiful Game, I found it to be a fun and challenging modern strategy game, which I am thankful for.
If you would like to find out more about TAK: A Beautiful Game, click here.
Article written by Brandon Scott
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