Board games usually contain a series of choices that can alter the outcome of the game just as much as the rules of the game do. Spinzino applies this idea to a dinosaur-themed game using dice, a wheel, movement, and timing.
This complete game has four types of dinosaurs and involves choices made using dice, a wheel, or ‘Freespins.’ To make your selection from one of the four choices, you can move a dinosaur to one of the four spaces reserved for dinosaurs.
While it is important to make the choice of the dinosaur you’re going to use, the timing of your choice is equally important. One dinosaur might be ideal in a given situation while another might be completely inappropriate. You must decide when to activate a dinosaur in order to use its particular skills to advance your movcment along the board towards the center.
What is Spinzino?
Spinzino is a board game focused on strategic moves and driven by movement. Players have to move four unique types of dinosaurs towards the board’s central nest.
Some types of dinosaurs have distinctive skills that allow a player to move towards the board’s center.
The selection of a dinosaur is mostly chance based. Players can use an assortment of methods to choose from the four options, including rolling dice or using a wheel. ‘Freespins’ can also play a part in your selection.
After selecting your dinosaur, players must determine the best time to use its skills to propel them toward the center of the board.
How Does Dinosaur Selection Work?
Dinosaur selection is the core element of the game.
Players can either roll dice or spin a wheel to pick which of the four dinosaurs they want to use. Players cannot choose which dinosaur they get, but it will not necessarily be a bad choice to use the dinosaur that was chosen.
Freespins also are another feature of the game. When players have these, they give the players extra chances to pick dinosaurs.
Because there is an element of randomness, players will rarely pick exactly the dinosaur they want. However, merely having a specific dinosaur does not always mean it is best to use it now.
Players have to think about where their dinosaurs are and what skills may be helpful later on.
The Four and Only Dinosaurs
Each of the four dinosaurs has a unique skill, and they all help players reach the nest.
Having four different types of dinosaurs means that one that is best for one situation might not be best for another.
One fast dinosaur might be best for crossing a gap because dinosaurs will not move by themselves. Players might end up regretting using it too early.
Before anything, players have to learn what the effects of the four dinosaurs are so they can develop a strategy.
Knowing what the skills of each of the four dinosaurs are will help players adapt to the different situations they will encounter on the board.
Spinzino’s Edge: Timing
Timing is a huge part of the game Spinzino.
Many folks will feel defeated after they get to choose a dinosaur, but it is important to hold off on activating the dinosaur until it is absolutely the best choice to do so.
Let’s say a quick dinosaur shows up in the beginning of a game. The player has the option to use the quick dinosaur, but if the player saves the quick dinosaur, the player could provide the most value by using the dinosaur when the player needs the most speed. This concept implements a level of strategy in the game.
The right time to use a quick dinosaur depends on:
- how close the player’s dinosaurs are to the nest
- the position of the player’s dinosaurs on the map
- how the player’s dinosaurs’ skills will be useful during the next few turns
What Are Dinosaur Slots?
Dinosaur slots are important to the game as they represent the positions in which the player can use an active dinosaur.
Playing Dinosaur Slots
Players have to keep their current position and potential future moves in mind when using dinosaur slots. For example, if a certain dinosaur is useful, but another one could be much more useful during the player’s next move, the animal to place in the slot becomes much more unclear.
This makes active slot usage much more complex than just a placement.
The Role of Free Spins
Free spins affect the selection process for dinosaurs as they also include a level of unpredictability. Having a Free spin allows players to potentially gain a dinosaur based on a favorable position of the board and a useful corresponding skill.
In the absence of all other elements of the game, players have to make a decision based on if it is better to use the Free spin now, or to wait.
Getting to the Nest in the Center
The center nest is where all the dinosaurs are heading. The skills of all the dinosaurs help players get to the nest. Reaching the nest is not about speed.
When selecting the current active dinosaur, players need to think of how that dinosaur’s skill fits the current situation.
Sometimes players need to think about moving a lot. Other times a different player’s skill may help more.
Different stages of the game can require a different skill.
Chance and Strategy in Spinzino
One of the things that makes Spinzino different and interesting is that there is a good amount of chance mixed with a decision making aspect. The game offers an element of surprise. Players have very little control of which dinosaur they get. There are also a lot of decisions that players have to make within that element of surprise.
Players have to figure out how best to use the dinosaurs they have been given. Because of the random nature of the game, players have to make a lot of decisions to best respond to the situation. Because of this, two games that are played by the same rules can look very different from another.
Tips for New Spinzino Players
It can help players think of the skills of each dinosaur to learn each skill before they play. General tips can help other players learn the game.
- Think of how players use their skills in different stages.
- Don’t use your best ability too early unless you have a good reason.
- Imagine the distance from your dinosaur to the central nest.
- Consider what ability will be helpful on your next turn.
- Be flexible in when you use Freespins.
- Recall that the results of dice and wheel rolls will be somewhat random.
These are general tips. You must still look at the specifics of each dinosaur, the overall game, and the official rules.
Where Are The Spinzino Rules?
These rules describe how the different elements of the game interact: dinosaur selection and activation, movement, slots, Freespins, and the different ability sets of the dinosaurs.
Players wishing to understand the game completely are advised to check the official Spinzino website for the current rules and for information about the game.
Reading the rules will help you understand how and when to use the ability of each of the different dinosaurs. It will also give you an understanding of how the timing of each move will impact the rest of the players in the game.
Finally
Spinzino brings together a collection of board-game elements to include a selection of dinosaurs, dice, a spinning wheel, movement towards a central nest, and a choice of slots that can become active.
The unpredictable nature of the game is maintained through the random elements; however, the choice of active slots and the timing of moves creates a deeper element of strategy.
Getting an ability-rich dinosaur doesn’t mean you should use it immediately. There are times when that ability becomes much more valuable when used later in the game.
Understanding the four dinosaurs and their special abilities is a great place to begin for anyone learning how to play Spinzino. After that, it is about practice and perfecting your timing, deciding when to engage an active slot, and picking the best path to guide you to the nest located at the center.
