Game: Rubik's Tac Toe

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Haffner — 2008-08-20T22:20:07+00:00

Pile et face, version française, sur la table verte

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Meat — 2008-03-16T03:55:52+00:00

Recreated game play example from the rules. Can you determine Sun's next move? Rubik's Eclipse edition.

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herace — 2007-12-08T15:41:06+00:00

Rubik's Tac Toe - Flipping Tiles (Set 8 X's & 8 O's)

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herace — 2007-12-08T15:37:50+00:00

Rubik's Tac Toe - Game Contents

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herace — 2007-12-08T15:36:52+00:00

Rubik's Tac Toe - Blister Pack Back

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herace — 2007-12-08T15:35:49+00:00

Rubi's Tac Toe - Blister Pack Front

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herace — 2007-12-02T15:45:21+00:00

Heads & Tails - Coin edges / Lips make them easy to grab

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herace — 2007-12-02T15:43:51+00:00

Heads & Tails / Coin Detail

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herace — 2007-12-02T15:42:26+00:00

Heads & Tails - Ideal version / 1981 / Wokingham Berkshire / 6854-4

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jwedel — 2007-10-29T07:26:56+00:00

Rubik's Magic - the tiles

Thread: abstract strategy game with shifting, changing board

Gnomekin — 2005-09-20T23:30:21+00:00

I like abstract strategy games. I don’t claim to be very good at them but there is something about a simple rule structure that has the possibility for deep play that appeals to me. Even so, I would not have picked this game up if it wasn’t for Accolade’s comments on the game, having never really been into the whole cube craze a few decades back. Luckily, having been warned, when I saw battered copy in the used section, I made sure to grab it.

This game has been published under a number of different names with a number of different looks. The version that I have is Rubik’s Magic, which is apparently one of the larger versions of the game. However, the size and the aesthetic design variations do not change any of the game play.

The board is a four by four grid. On my copy at least, each of the squares is recessed so that the pieces can be dropped in and will stay there, with the middle of each side of each square open so you can easily remove the piece, which is a good thing since pieces can travel across the board.

Each player receives eight pieces, cardboard tiles sized to fit into the grid on the board. Each piece is double sided, with a light side and a dark side which leads to an inevitable comparison to the Star Wars trilogies. On my copy, one player will be playing squares and the other player will be playing circles. The actual squares and circles are silver with rainbow patterns on them on top of a light or a dark background so a completed board looks kind of psychedelic.

On your turn, you first flip over one of your opponent’s tiles. You don’t just turn it over; it actually will be moved over into an adjacent square. I suppose you don’t actually have to literally flip it over but that’s the effect. Tiles must be flipped on a side, not a corner, so there are no diagonal moves. You must do this unless there is no way for you to flip one of your opponent’s tiles. For instance, if it’s the first move of the game, then your opponent doesn’t have a tile on the board for you to flip.

Also note that you can only flip the other guy’s tiles. If you want one of your own tiles to be flipped, then you’re going to have to figure out some way for your opponent to flip it for you.

After you have flipped one of your opponent’s tiles, you then place one of your own tiles into an empty square. You get to choose which side will be facing up, light side or dark side, with the knowledge that your opponent will be able to change both the facing and the location of that tile unless there is no way for them to flip it.

The goal of the game is to have three matching sides of your symbol in a row, not entirely unlike Tic Tac Toe, which one of the versions of the games goes by. However, it doesn’t count if you end your turn with three in a row. You need to begin your turn with three in a row for it to count as a win.

That means you need to either have your three-in-row in a position where there is no way for your opponent to break it up or you need to maneuver your opponent into being forced to create your three-in-a-row for you.

Most games in the Tic Tac Toe family usually becomes games of blocking. However, the board in Rubik’s Magic is one that keeps changing as pieces change locations. It’s still a game where blocking is important. However, you really have to always look ahead to make sure your efforts are effective.

In addition to that, since the only person who can move your own pieces is your opponent, your position in the game depends as much on your opponent as yourself. You need to always do your best to limit and control your opponent’s options. The tile that you personally place may not be as important as the flip that your opponent decides to make.

Rubik’s Magic is a game that may have only sixteen squares on the board with sixteen pieces to fill them. However, the decision tree of the game is much larger than it looks. This is a game of hidden choices and subtle decisions.

It is possible for a game to end in a tie. However, the more you play the game and realize how many possible moves you have, the less a tie becomes a foregone conclusion.

This is a surprisingly clever game with a lot of subtle strategies and replay value. If you enjoy abstract strategy games, this is a game that you will enjoy. Call it Rubik’s Magic, Rubik’s Eclipse, or Rubik’s Tic Tac Toe, if you see a copy, pick it up.

Thread: General Comment

Accolades — 2004-01-18T05:08:20+00:00

First of all, I'd like to say that I'm a sucker for any game that can be carried easily in a pocket or backpack and played almost anywhere with little or no notice. Simple abstract strategy games like "9 Men's Morris" and "Mancala" fill a lot of my spare time, just because I can take them anywhere and play them when I feel up to it.

That being said, I simply couldn't resist trying this game out when I found it on the shelf for half price at a going out of business sale. I figured anything with the Rubik's name would have to be worth at least six dollars, so I splurged.

The description for this game listed on BBG simply does not do the game justice, however it appears two slightly different variations of this game have been produced in the past, under the names "Rubik's Magic" and "Rubik's Eclipse" respectively. The game plays exactly the same as these two previously released titles.

The board begins empty. The move (except the very first one, in which you can only place a piece of yours) consists of:
1) move an already placed opponent's piece one square in any ortogonal direction, flipping its side
2) putting one of your piece in any vacant square, whatever side up.
The winner is the first player to get 3 of his game pieces of the same color (gold or silver) in a "locked" row, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally. A row of 3 is "locked" when none of the pieces in it can be flipped into an adjacent square because all the adjacent squares aren't empty.

Now, I am slightly leary of any game that describes the conditions for a "stale mate" in the instructions, but I was anxious to try the game out anyhow. The first couple games did nothing to ease this weary feeling. It kept looking like game after game would wind up in a classic Tic-Tac-Toe stale mate, but this was not the case. A winner would usually emerge when the last few tiles were placed onto the grid. Several games later we began to find ways to beat one another without even filling the entire board! We had a great time trying to find ways to coerc each other into flipping a tile that we wanted flipped. (you cannot flip any of your own tiles once placed) or trying to find ways where no matter how your opponent flips your tile, it benifits you.

It will take a considerable number of plays before I can truly consider this a core game in my collection, but after about 10 games, there are no glaringly obvious faults to the gameplay, and it didn't appear as if there was a huge advantage when going first or second. All in all, I'd say this is a great game, definately one worthy of adding to your collection if your an abstract strategy junkie like me!