Tempo kleine Fische! Review of Tempo kleine Fische [Complete Guide to Board Games for Toddlers]
" Tempo, kleine Fische! ", a masterpiece by Ravensberger depicting a chase between a fishing boat and a fish escaping from a river into the sea, is the ultimate simple board game that can be enjoyed by children aged 3 and above.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the game's appeal and key concerns, based on feedback from actual players, and provide you with all the information you need to know before purchasing.
Game Basics
"Tempo, kleine Fische!" is a cooperative and competitive board game for 1-6 players, with a playing time of approximately 10-30 minutes, and is recommended for players aged 3 and up.
The designer is Günter Burkhardt, who is also known as the co-designer of his signature work, "Dragon's Breath."
The core mechanics of the game are extremely simple: a fishing boat heads downstream from the upstream of a river, and in the middle reaches, four fish try to escape to the ocean (the downstream end). If the result of the colored dice shows two colors for the fishing boat, you remove river segments to move the fishing boat closer to the fish, and if the result of the colored dice shows four colors for the fish, you move the corresponding fish toward the ocean.
Components include:
- Two fisherman figures
- Four wooden fish pieces
- 1 boat
- One large river part
- 11 small river parts
- 1 sea part
- 1 color die
It is made with Ravensburger quality for durability and safety.
The charm of Tempo, kleine Fische!
Its greatest appeal is its ultimate simplicity and instant enjoyment.
Ultimate simplicity for instant enjoyment
The game's greatest appeal is its incredible accessibility, with the rules explained in just 30 seconds and easy enough for even a three-year-old to understand.
The gameplay is intuitive; players simply choose to be on the fish team or the fisherman team and roll the colored dice. The joy and sorrow that come with each roll of the dice creates a theme that young children can easily relate to.
A perfect balance of tension and speed
While the fish move forward one square at a time, the boat approaches in one go when a river segment is removed, creating a sense of tension. The thrill of not knowing which will win, the fish or the fishing boat, continues until the very end.
This exquisite game balance provides a rich experience even in the short 10-minute gameplay.
Cooperative play creates a sense of unity
Groups of players often side with the fish, and the experience of enthusiastically rolling the dice while cheering for the fish creates a "happy frenzy" that is infectious even for adults.
When there are a large group of people, the excitement of cheering on the fish and fishermen factions increases the value of the device for families and parties.
Educational effectiveness and developmental support
It is designed to naturally promote color recognition and understanding, and also contribute to improved concentration.
The difficulty level can be adjusted, and by placing additional river parts between the boat and the fish, the fish's escape probability can be adjusted, making it flexible enough for even two-year-olds to enjoy.
Concerns and solutions
There are issues with a lack of strategy and replayability, but these can be resolved with the right measures.
A complete lack of strategy
It's a game of pure luck with zero strategic elements, and progresses solely based on dice results, so it may be lacking for players who want to enjoy strategy.
As a countermeasure , you can increase replay value by adjusting the difficulty by changing the number of river parts between the boat and the fish, or by using a multi-round system to create a sense of anticipation that "maybe the result will be different this time."
Limited interests due to age group
Children around the age of 6 or 7 tend to lose interest rapidly, with some saying that it is "a bit boring and the fish seem to have the advantage."
As a countermeasure , it can be used as a party game or icebreaker, or by switching to a more cooperative experience where everyone "supports the fish," it can be used by a wide range of age groups.
Replayability issues
Because the gameplay is similar to that of a pure lottery, it may lose its freshness after a few plays.
As a countermeasure , you can maximize the entertainment value by taking advantage of the short 10-minute time frame to play "one more time!" repeatedly, or by using it as a tool to liven up a party.
Recommended for these people and occasions
It can be used in a wide range of situations, from families to those involved in childcare.
Families and childcare workers
It is simple enough for a two-year-old child to play alone in a childcare facility, and can be used in a wide range of situations, from being a great Christmas or birthday gift for the family to being the highlight of a kids' party.
It is especially ideal for parents who want to give their children their first board game experience , and for educators who want to teach the rules in groups .
Those looking for their first board game
The rules can be explained in just 30 seconds, so even a 3-year-old can understand, making it an ideal first step for those new to board games .
The whole family can enjoy the fun of rolling dice and learning colors at the same time, with frenetic fun that is infectious even for adults.
Situations where short-term entertainment is required
As a compact Mitsubringspiel (take-home game), it's perfect for a casual 10-minute break or making effective use of waiting time.
Expected effects
Actual users have said things like, "I bought it for my child's third birthday, and he played three rounds in a row that night," and "It's perfect for learning colors, and you can adjust the difficulty level as you like." The game is expected to have educational benefits such as improving concentration and color recognition, as well as giving children an initial experience with the rules.
" Tempo, kleine Fische! " should be appreciated not as a pure gaming experience, but as a way to spend time with young children. While it may not be enough for adults looking for strategy, it will provide great excitement and learning opportunities for children aged 3 to 5. It's a worthwhile game that will create fun family time.
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