Such a nest can be built very honestly. Every good bird knows that, but Hedwig is a cuckoo. And cuckoos do not build nests by themselves, because they are seeking places for their eggs in houses of the foreign branches. They are stealing houses.
We are going to have to empathize with small cuckoos in a new board game Zum Kuckuck! by HABA. The game was created by duo Josep Maria Allum and Viktor Bautista i Roca. Their creation got floating illustration style of Gabriela Silveira.
Game got unique high tin box to its birthbed. That height is needed, because bottom part will also form basis for cuckoo’s nest. At start, players will have to place there bouquet of colorful sticks with different colors on both sides and unclench it to form a nest. Each player then gets a few (same number for each rival) plastic eggs and main wooden cuckoo figurine starts game next to the board.
In his turn, everyone is trying to get rid of his eggs. To be able to put egg in the nest, player needs first to pull the right stick out. It is one, that has the same color on top and bottom. The trick is that players always see only one part, when pulling them out. The other end of the stick is hidden deep in the can.
Player has three attempts each round. Apart from the first pick, however, the other two choices are limited to only such sticks, whose upper color matches lower tip of the previously drawn one. Whether a player’s quest ends well or with a failure, he can always take all the stick pulled and distribute them horizontally among the other sticks. By doing this, he really starts to build a nest, which in the future should also hold some eggs.
Once the player is able to find stick with same colors on both ends, he is allowed to pick up one of his eggs and try to find it a safe place in nest. If it stays there, everything is fine. Each egg, that falls back on the table must be taken back by active player (it does not matter, if its his egg or not). If, conversely, the newly placed egg drops into the interior of the tin, player will not search for it, but instead takes one egg from opponent, who has the most of them at the moment.
Players make turns, pulling sticks out, returns them back to the nest a little differently and try to create a proper bird’s nest. And despite the fact, that he had never done before. But it does not matter, because even failure is a step forwards with learning process. The winner ultimately becomes the one, who first get rid of all his eggs. Maybe. He must still place cuckoo on top of its eggs. Only player, who does succeed and figure does not fall, can celebrate.
Zum Kuckuck! is a game aimed primarily at children, there is not doubt about that. Middle of the fun is in clever fingers. It is not easy not to make a mistake, drop an egg or vice versa put it in the correct place. And as such, game will practice important qualities in children – patience, motor skills and tactics (correct choice of location).
Game is a direct duel of all rivals. Players in their turn are preparing nest for their own eggs, but also in the event of an unsuccessful turn (which does not allow them to place new egg) tries to prevent the others from being successful.
But you have to have luck, when pulling sticks. There is enough of them inside, so the nest eventually is becoming stronger and stronger. But eggs are also just a little, so children experience surprisingly a lot of tension in the game.
Box contains age recommendations since four years up. Game is so simple, that we identify with that number too. For the proper rivalry, children need only to know the color. Actually no more knowledge is needed, but it is still not simply a reckless game, as we have already indicated a moment ago. By contrast, it certainly makes sense and gives children something to do and focus on. And even during those ten minutes, that each game lasts. It is just right.
Zum Kuckuck! is a game, in which the bird’s nest is constantly collapsing. But it’s fun, because as eggs are rolling on the table, players must take them back. And so they are actually punished for their unhandiness. Nimble fingers and caution are an important part of success. Zum Kuckuck game! Will be certainly liked by children, although adults will not be so excited about playing it. Leave it to the kids!
| Designer | Josep M. Allué, Víktor Bautista i Roca | |
| Artist | Gabriela Silveira | |
| Publisher | HABA | |
| Year Published | 2016 | |
| # of Players | 2 - 5 | |
| User Suggested # of Players | Best with 4 players Recommended with 2, 3, 4, 5 players (8 voters) | |
| Playing Time | 15 | |
| Mfg Suggested Ages | 4 and up | |
| User Suggested Ages | 6 and up (6 voters) | |
| Language Dependence | No necessary in-game text (2 voters) | |
| Category | Action / Dexterity, Children's Game, Party Game | |
| Mechanic | Stacking and Balancing | |
| Family | Components: 3-Dimensional (3D) | |
| Primary Name | Go Cuckoo! | |
| Alternate Names | El cuco Kiko estrena nido, Il cuculo cerca nido, Kiki Koekoek, Kikou le coucou, El niu del cucut, Zum Kuckuck! |
Infos courtesy of boardgamegeek.com. More Infos.
