Basic Gameplay
SLIDE is a simple abstract game where you start with 16 face down cards and you are flipping them over and trying to get the lowest possible score. After you select your card for the round they all go into the middle and in turn order you draft the card you want from the pool in the centre. Then you must “slide” it into your grid moving other cards along to slot this face up card onto an edge spot. Each card is worth its face value, so a one is 1 point, and a ten is 10 points.
The trick comes in that if you manage to get groups of the same number touching adjacently then they will count for zero points. So a group of 3 tens will jump from 30 points to nil if you can get them all into a group. However, you can see all your best laid plans crumble if you get a group going too early on and then when you have to slide the puzzle you are left with no choice but to disrupt your beautiful groupings. Whenever I play this game, I really hear the sighs and cogs turning into those final few turns. And that I think is why I love this game so much. It has for me the perfect game arc. Starts off easy, you are playing a low risk strategy, it is easy and quick on your turn. But by the last few turns you are agonising over every single slide wondering if you’ve bet on the right horse and that in that final few turns a hallowed ten will come out at the right time for you to create the mother of all adjacent groups. I am getting excited about it just writing about how much I love this game.
Components
This game is called SLIDE and you slide the box open. Nuff said. No, but seriously the game components are really simple, the box, a first player marker, and a deck of small square coloured cards with numbers up to ten on them. That is it. It is not about the components here, its more about the graphics and the noises of excitement and anticipation coming from those around the table as you walk by at a demo or see it played in a pub.
Replayability
At lower player counts there will always be a random amount of each number which makes the element of surprise more prominent as there is no option for card counting. In a 6 player game with all of the cards in play then I suppose that card counting and educated guesswork could be employed to your significant advantage. However this is a game about silliness and fun quick gameplay so I think the order of the day is fast and loose speed play for maximum fun.
Round Up
This has to be a game that anyone can play. It is utterly brilliant in my opinion and one of the best filler games that there is. The speed of play, the random element of luck thrown in with a heavy amount of trying to secure the best for you and not the best for everyone else. It is a winner and I love it.
