Tic Tac Trek is the brand-new game from Alley Cat Games. You may have seen some of their titles like Barbcubes and Tinderblox popping up in stores near you. Like the titles that came before, this one comes in a tiny tin box – ready for any adventure. These games have echoes of publishers like Oink Games, who equally create small but mighty titles.
In Tic Tac Trek, you will enjoy the classic game of noughts and crosses. But unlike the children’s classic that always has a solution, Tic Tac Trek adds some modern elements. Over the course of the game, you will be placing different terrain tiles next to your own chosen shape. There are a few constraints to keep the game tight and fun. This is a 2 player only experience that can be enjoyed in 15 to 20 minutes.
You Place, I Place
The terrains in Tic Tac Trek come in mountains, grasslands, forests, deserts, and lakes. Each of these tiles must be placed next to one of their own types, except for lakes, which are wild and can be placed next to any tile you choose.
Like the traditional game, your goal is to score three noughts or three crosses in a row. These can be rows made in any direction, and upon placing your last tile, you place a campfire at the end. This is where the twist comes; the end game scoring comes in through empty spaces adjacent to campfires. You score 1 point per empty space horizontally, vertically, and diagonally next to these fires. These glowing beacons like to be seen from all angles!
The game relies on this tightness of trying to score your own rows while blocking point scoring opportunities for your opponent. With each tile randomly taken from the bag you never know quite what will come next. With an open board like games like Akropolis, Cascadia and Bananagrams it makes the options for the game seemingly endless.
I personally like the limitations offered by only being able to place next to terrain tiles of the same type. The unknown of who is going to win makes the game tense throughout its playing time.
Lighting Fires of Fun
Due to the scoring criteria of Tic Tac Trek, games are always close with low scores within a few points of one another. The only criticism I would have is that when drawing, there are two conditions to determine a winner. Firstly, the person who placed the most fires is declared the winner. If these are the same, then the person who went first wins the game. While draws can be unusual, it does feel harsh to hand a victory to someone based on turn order.
The components feel right for this type of game. Although the patterns are distinct, the artwork is slightly lacking compared to the fantastically made fires. The tin fits all the components well although the tiles need to be removed from the bag to fit into the box.
Everyone knows the original rules of tic-tac-toe, and this takes those rules with a few extras but is never too much. It is just the right amount of thinking for those who want a tactical blitz. Games never overstay their welcome and are quickly completed as quickly as they are set up. An equal amount of turn per person, Tic Tac Trek really is about making the best of the tiles to score those blank spaces!
Tic Tac Trek is a good value pocket rocket. Suitable for families with growing children, once they have mastered the original, they can upgrade to this much more replayable version! If you like games that are easy to teach and seamless to play without the complexity, then this might be a perfect addition to your shelf.
I would also suggest it as a fun little present for any hobbyist in your family. A true stocking filler it will bring a smile to anyone’s face for a birthday, Christmas or even “thinking of you” present.
Conclusion
I enjoyed the games I have played and can see myself coming back to Tic Tac Trek every so often. It is slightly limited due to its simplicity but is still a fun game to bring out for holidays and filler game sessions. For couples who like playing together or even friends meeting in a coffee shop, Tic Tac Trek offers something different without the mental overhead of heavier titles.
This game is perfectly placed for mass market appeal with an engaging hiking and travel theme. Plus, the addition of a well-known children’s game reimagined makes it a great value option. While it won't replace your favourite strategic two-player games, it fills a specific niche admirably: quick, portable, and just clever enough to keep you coming back.
