Smartphone Inc

5 players, 2 hours max, with a complexity that families and perhaps even kids can get into. The game takes 5 rounds, after which the game is over. In each round, you flip your two action boards however which way you want, only executing actions shows. Then you adjust prices, produce phones, research, expand your markets and then sell them. The phases go very smoothly, and no one is waiting to take their turn. This game hits all the right spots, it's thematic, strategic, interactive and occasionally cutthroat. Everyone has a smartphone and can easily get into the theme of selling smartphones. There are multiple strategies to go for. Do you price competitively to dominate markets or do you upcharge your phones and hope you can sell them somehwere for a killing? Which techs do you research, if any? Where and who should you compete against? There are a lot of things to consider if you want, but you can also just follow your gut feeling and see what happens. The game is also forgiving for early mistakes. If you COMPLETELY mess up in the first round or two (there's only 5 rounds total), you can still catch up because each round is more significant than the last. Interaction between players is intense, and even during the selling phase, there are meaningful decisions to be made. Overall, it's a fantastic economic game with a fresh theme that plays in 90 mins (2 hours first try) that both newcomers and gamers can enjoy. Was better than expected. Selling phones has never been so intense!

Great PUAD-like, with a pretty unique action selection mechanic. Let down a little bit by the insert - very tight in the box, feels like something is going to break each time the game is pulled out and put back - but despite the sizing issue, this is still a very easy title to get to the table. Plays better with a higher count. If you're going to more frequently be at 2 players, get the expansion.