The Sandpiper
Joe Granese
July 2006
USA

Gaming is a family tradition in the making and a perfect pastime for that odd rainy day that finds everyone hanging around the home looking for a little fun. To help enhance that priceless experience, I come up with a few games perfectly suited to the family that plays together.

Choosing a proper contest can be difficult, especially when younger children are a part of the mix. Games clever enough to hold the attention of older players are sometimes too difficult for the newbies. Kiddie games may be fun for the youngsters, but can send adults scrambling to the TV in a single bound.

Out of the Box has solved that problem with Aaron Weissblum’s Cloud 9, a fun and fantastic game of balloons and clouds easy enough for the beginner while possessing an evil side that can addict even the most sophisticated board gamer.

The premise is deceptively simple. Players, lead by the dealer, simply ride a hot air balloon into the clouds. The higher they go, the more points they collect. Once somebody reaches 50 points, the round is over and a winner is declared. Like life itself, however, it is the journey, not the destination that holds the real fun.

Everybody gets into the balloon to begin the game. The starting player gets to manipulate the dice and cards that control the action. These tasks are easy enough for young players to accomplish. The outcome of special dice rolls determines what player cards are required to advance.

As the game progresses, the player in control manages the flight. That play impacts the route of the balloon, requiring competitors to decide whether to stay on and accumulate more points, or to play it safe and jump off. Cloud 9 is easy to learn and play, but insidious as well. Best of all, it is easily within the ability of neophyte gamers. A true family game, Cloud 9 can keep the entire unit laughing until well past bedtime.

Back to Cloud 9 Reviews page