MOD X

I was pleasantly surprised at the game play for Mod X. I've played a few session with adults and children as young as 6 years old. Easy to learn and everyone has enjoyed it.

Game play is like tic tac toe/connect four but with variants on 3 different patterns to score each requiring 5 of your "X" colored pieces. You would replace your colored X pieces with scoring squares to track your current points. The cool mechanic is you can play right over the square pieces giving you the opportunity to technically steal/overwrite an opponent's point quickly changing the tide of a game.

There are also wild pieces that assist you in completing your pattern but that will not let your score on their space. After completing and scoring your pattern, you can move the wild pieces to any spot on the board that does not create a completed pattern (unless it's all wild)

The different scoring patterns combined with the Wilds help make patterns tricky to find and block. The scoring mechanics with the replacement of the square tiles along with the ability to move the wild pieces allow for some deep strategy.

Two complaints:
1) When playing with 4 players, the board is extremely tight. If everyone plays defense, it will lead to a 4 way tie with no one being able to score. I've only tried this once with 2 adults and 2 kids. It might work if we don't allow table talks but it's difficult not to laugh when you catch someone trying to be sneaky.
So far 3 players seems to be the best play. 2 players is fun too, but 3 takes it to another level.

2) The orange and red color sort of look similar to each other. You can tell them apart but under certain lighting it could be difficult.

Fun game overall.