Manufacturer: Libellud
Designer: Laurent
Escoffier & David Franck
Year: 2015
Loony Quest had been on my
radar, but only as a children’s game. However, I got the opportunity to give it
a try at a board game group and found I was rather good at it. To my slight
shame, I do tend to enjoy games I’m good at, so Loony Quest caught my attention. On a recent holiday to Valencia we
visited a local game store and Loony Quest was one of the few multi-lingual
options available so we took it home as our holiday souvenir and it’s been
hitting the table a lot ever since!
Loony Quest is a point scoring,
drawing game in which each player tries to meet a drawing challenge over the
course of 6 rounds. Each round is a scene with certain point scoring
opportunities and other features which are obstacles. Each round allows
different drawings, for example, a specific number of lines, a certain number
of circles or a certain number of dots and there’s a time limit of 30 second to
draw the required elements, hitting the targets that gain points and avoiding
the obstacles which lose you points.
Your drawing is on acetate so each player takes a
turn to place their acetate over the central scene and see what their net score
is based on their drawing. The drawing will also determine whether the player
obtains any bonuses or bombs. Bonuses vary from positive effects for the player
who obtains them, for example 2 victory points or penalties they can play on
other players. Bombs are typically something that will inhibit your drawing
next round, for example drawing with your non-dominant hand.
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| In this case, you need to draw one line. 3 points are available for drawing a line from corner to corner, additional points for hitting the yellow circles and penalties for hitting the walls or creatures. |
Each game only lasts six rounds and the player who
has accumulated the most points is the winner. However, if you want more of a challenge
you can progress onto further levels. The levels get more challenging by
placing rewards much closer to obstacles, making some obstacles result in
sudden death rather than just a couple of points lost, or even having to do the
level with your eyes closed! The game tests your spatial awareness, and I believe
actually improve it with practice. You certainly get better by practicing the
same level over and over again, which can be challenging when you’re always
introducing the game to new players, but it’s also good to keep challenging
yourself on the advanced levels when you get the opportunity to play with the
same people again.
The key thing for me about Loony Quest is that it’s unique. I don’t think I’ve ever played
another game that makes a level playing field for drawing and creates a really
fun game out of it. It’s a genuine challenge for adults and although I haven’t
played it with any younger gamers, I guess the game provides quite a level
playing field for adults and children alike.
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| The setup for a two player game. Loony Quest really stands out on the table, especially because it used the box to hold the central board. This game can be almost as fun to watch as to play :-) |
We have been slowly progressing through Loony Quest as a couple, enjoying the
increased difficulty, although sometimes it does seem a bit ridiculous how hard
a level can be made. It’s also proving to be a great hit at my new work board
game group because it’s so accessible to people who’ve not played games before
as well as something unique and new for those who have. I’ll be pretty sad when
we’ve played all the levels and I’m also concerned we’ll wear it out as the
acetate gets dirtier over time. Loony
Quest is one of my favourite light games and the Yellow Meeple gives it an 8.5/10.
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