Fits in every suitcase: In “My Gold Mine” players go on a treasure hunt as dwarves.
As the publisher describes the game: diamonds, precious stones, gold – an immeasurable treasure is hidden deep in the cave. Each player turns into a dwarf and digs gold nuggets. But watch out! The keeper of the mountain, the fire-breathing dragon, aims at the dwarves and takes up the chase. Who can leave the gold mine with the most nuggets and who is too greedy and gets caught by the dragon? With short rules, up to 6 players start an exciting card game in which the winner can secure the greatest treasure with a little luck and skill.
Review by Hunter: There are plenty of small, inexpensive family games that fit in every vacation suitcase. But only very few manage to impress over the long term despite the small box and little material. “My Gold Mine” from the “Open & Play” series by Kosmos Verlag is such a game that lasts more than the modest box size suggests. “Open & Play” is the program. You open the lid and find short and easy-to-understand instructions so that you can start immediately.
As greedy dwarfs, it is our job to get as much gold as possible from the mine of the dragon Dragobert. Alternately, we can choose to either take the top card of the open pile or use an exit card to move towards the escape exit. Because at the end of the tunnel the fire-breathing dragon lurks and if a dragon appears under the card taken from the pile, the dragon moves one step in our direction. All dwarfs he catches are eliminated from the group.
It is therefore important to weigh up the risk on every move and to calculate what can happen until it is your turn to move again. But being too careful is also dangerous, because with the help of the exit cards you can not only move your own figure towards the exit, but sometimes also change the position of other players. And whose figure has reached the mine exit cannot receive any more gold in this round, even if the dragon is still far away.
The game goes over three rounds, with bonus nuggets to be won in rounds one and two for the first three places. These then count as a starting advantage in the decisive third round. Even so, even the unlucky person can turn things around in the last lap if, for example, only he or she makes it to the exit.
“My Gold Mine” is varied, fast played, sometimes a bit mean but tremendously fun. When you step in front of the kite, swap your position with the most cautious player or players at the table, or suddenly the kite unexpectedly takes several steps at once, there is real joy – or despair. In any case, it won’t be boring.
In addition, the game is suitable for almost all constellations. Children can go looking for gold without any problems and adult groups will also find a lot of fun here. All in all, a real recommendation for everyone who is still looking for a small, playful travel companion.
