In my opinion, Spinergy is one of the most underrated party games created. It’s in my top ten, and certainly one of the most creative I’ve ever played. See my review of it http://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/9422 for more details. The company, Gnu Games, sells expansions for the game at their website, http://www.gnugames.com/spinergy/ , and I was fortunate to procure a copy of each. Here are some short thoughts on each:
“Mmmm...Chocolate” - These three rings add an assortment of chocolate words, although most of them, taken out of context, can be used for other things. Examples of the words on these rings are: whipped, graham crackers, white, candy, bitter, vanilla bean, etc. I enjoy these rings (especially their chocolaty color) but find them best used when mixed with other rings, using only one at a time.
“Play Ball” - These three rings add quite a few words dealing with sports. Examples of the words are: fast break, timeout, loser, last, grand slam, etc. Sports fans should pick this set up, as you could easily play exclusively with these rings; although they would fit in well with the other rings.
“Hullabaloo” - These three rings add words that have something to do with noise. Examples of the words are: snoring, owl, whistle, ricochet, sweeping, etc. This is definitely my favorite expansion; and if I only could have one, it would be this one. The assortment of words chosen is excellent for the game, and it really adds to game play. Since the goal of Spinergy is to guess words that people will use in their definitions, (the words on these rings certainly lead to other words; try to use snoring without “sleeping”, for example), these really work well. I really enjoy the pictures these words create, and they really enhance the game.
“That’s Amore” - These three rings add a variety of words on the subject of love. Examples of the words are heaving, seduced, unzip, gorgeous, hips, firm, etc. Taken by themselves, these words (most of them) can be quite innocent; and so I have no problem using a single ring from this set in a game. To use all three rings, however, will most probably produce definitions of a “romantic” sort, and depending on your group may not be quite appropriate. I’m sure there is a market for these rings, but they’re the last ones I would get.
$19.95 for an expansion for a party game is a fairly steep price tag, and I doubt that anyone would want to own all four expansions, even with the discounts from the website. However, one expansion combined with the basic game provides a LOT of variety, and I think worth the price. The rings are of good quality and intermix seamlessly with those from the basic game. They are printed in some nice colors, and each will appeal to a different group of people (I loved Hullabaloo, but sports might just be your thing.) If you own the game of Spinergy (and you should!), then pick up one of these expansions; they’ll breathe a bit of new life into the game.
Tom Vasel
“Real men play board games.”
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Comped Playtest Review
Tom Vasel
December 22, 2004
Style: 4 (Classy & Well Done)
Substance: 3 (Average)
Pricey but nice expansions for the Spinergy game. I would just get one of them, depending on preference - as one expansion alone adds a LOT to the basic game.
Tom Vasel has written 565 reviews, with average style of 3.47 and average substance of 3.39. The reviewer's previous review was of Fifth Avenue. This review has been read 2191 times. |
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