A thorough review of Quoridor! Explaining the appeal of this strategy board game where you build mazes with walls.
Quoridor is a board game in which players aim to get their pieces to the goal while blocking their opponents' paths with walls.
Released by Gigamic in 1997, this work was a huge hit, selling over one million copies, and has won many awards.
In this article, we will explain in detail everything from the appeal of Corridor to points of concern and the type of player we recommend, along with the voices of actual players.
By the time you finish reading, you'll be hooked on this deep strategy game.
Game Basics
The game is suitable for 2-4 players, takes 15 minutes to play, and is suitable for ages 6 and up. The rulebook is very simple, being only two pages long, one of which is an illustration page.
The game uses a board made up of 81 squares in a 9x9 grid, and each player has an equal number of walls, a total of 20.
For two players, each player plays 10 cards, for three players, each player plays 6 cards, and for four players, each player plays 5 cards.
The game's core mechanics are surprisingly simple.
On your turn, you can either "move your piece one space" or "place one wall" and take turns.
The first player to get their piece to the farthest row (any square will do) wins.
Quoridor's rules are so intuitive that it is said that no words are necessary to teach it, yet its depth is immeasurable.
The appeal of Corridor: Simple yet deep strategy
The greatest appeal of the Corridor is that the walls can be used for both offense and defense.
Diverse use of walls creates a range of strategies
One way is very simple: put a wall in front of your opponent.
However, as you progress, you'll discover a deeper strategic element in the game, where you can use the walls to protect yourself.
Actual players tend to think of walls as being used to block the opponent's path, but they have also said that they can be used defensively , by placing walls to prevent your own path from being obstructed .
This process of discovering strategies is what makes it so fun, as you can level up the more you play.
Dramatic reversal of fortunes creates drama
In Corridor, even if you think "Wow, I might be checkmated...", you can make a huge turnaround with one unexpected move, or conversely, just when you think "I've won," you'll be forced to go back in time.The appeal of this game lies in the thrilling developments where a single inspiration can turn the situation around .
Some players have commented that a losing player can suddenly become a winner, provided they play appropriately cleverly, and this unpredictability makes the game even more fun.
When I lose, I feel so frustrated that I can't help but say, "One more time."
This appeal is also confirmed by the comments that this is a sign of a good work.
The appeal of high-quality wooden components
High-quality stained wooden pieces and a stylish, heavy carved wooden playing board create a premium all-wood component .
Some people have commented that it could also be used as interior decoration, making it a masterpiece that combines functionality as a game with beauty.
Concerns and solutions
We will explain the countermeasures and solutions to the problems pointed out by some players.
How to deal with end-game monotony
Some players have pointed out that once all the walls are placed, the game simply becomes a race to see who can get to the other side first.
This problem can be addressed by strategic wall placement .
By anticipating the endgame and learning tactics to conserve walls and block your opponent's final route, you can enjoy a tense game right until the very end.
Solutions to the unfairness of four-player games
In a four-player match, there is the issue that interference can be concentrated on one player, creating a sense of unfairness.
An effective solution to this problem is to create a team game where each team consists of two people, each person shares 10 walls, and the first person to reach the goal wins.
This rule change allows players to enjoy different strategies than in two-player matches, such as taking advantage of the rule to jump over pieces to support their teammates.
Addressing strategy fixation during repeated play
Playing against the same opponents repeatedly can lead to fixed strategic patterns, but this can be overcome by learning new tactics against different opponents or playing online .
Some people say that they can experience the fun of Corridor more by improving little by little with two beginners, rather than playing with an experienced player and being taught by them, so it's important to enjoy the process of growing with someone at a similar level.
Recommended for these people and occasions
Corridor is a versatile game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and in all occasions.
Ideal as a family game
The rules are very easy to understand, making it a perfect game to play with children instead of shogi or go.When playing with children, you can also reduce the barriers to make it easier to give them a handicap.
One of the features of the game is that elementary school children can play against their moms and dads (both can enjoy it), making it fun for people of all ages.
For those who want to hone their strategic thinking
It can also be used as an educational toy for children.
The rules are simple and the game is rated as a very brain-teasing one, helping to improve analytical and logical thinking, working memory, and mathematical strategies .
Communication tool for couples and married couples
My daughter has two copies, one of which she brings to school every day to play with her friends during lunch and study time, and it's worn out. As you can see from this example, it's easy to carry around and allows you to enjoy deep battles in a short amount of time, so it can be used as a communication tool in a variety of situations.
For abstract strategy game enthusiasts
If you like abstract games like me, you should give Quoridor a try, it's highly rated as a well-designed game that's a fun way to spend time.
Corridor is a masterpiece of modern abstract games that continues to be loved by people of all ages, thanks to its deep strategic nature hidden behind its simple rules and beautiful wooden components .
Now that I think about it, there's no reason not to give it an A rating.
I've played a lot with a lot of different people, and one long-time player said he still hasn't gotten bored of it, which speaks to its appeal.
This corridor has depth that can be enjoyed by players of all levels, from beginners to advanced players, so be sure to give it a try.
Check the product on the online store page
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Reference source/quote source
- Gigamic Quoridor Strategy & Logic Game | Huge Range of Educational Games at Rainbow Fun Noosa
- Quoridor, Jeu de réflexion et de société, Gigamic
- Quoridor Review
- Quoridor Board Game Review – Meeple Mountain
- Corridor
- Corridor/Quoridor
- A thorough introduction to Corridor! Block with walls and aim for the goal | BokuBod