# Cobogó ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2025 - **BGG Rating**: 8.0 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 2) - **Duration**: 15 min - **Weight**: 1.00 / 5 - **Designers**: Gabriel Toschi - **Artists**: Larissa Toschi - **Publishers**: Piquinim, CapyCat Games - **Categories**: Print & Play, Puzzle - **Mechanics**: Cooperative Game, Layering, Pattern Building, Solo / Solitaire Game, Tile Placement, Variable Set-up ## Verdict Perfect for spatial puzzle lovers looking for a quick, clever challenge. The layering system is a highlight!Innovative layering mechanicInstant and practical setupEngaging mental challengeBeautiful Brazilian cultural themeExtremely short play sessionsMinimal components might feel too simpleRECOMMENDED ## Description Dealing with the intense Brazilian heat requires smart solutions, and that's where cobogós come in—those iconic hollow blocks that allow ventilation while adding a stunning aesthetic to buildings. In Cobogó, you and your friends step into the shoes of architecture interns tasked with designing a mosaic of these colorful blocks. The catch? Your clients have very specific whims, and you'll need to be precise to keep them happy. This is a minimalist microgame featuring only 18 cards, yet it offers a surprisingly deep spatial puzzle. The gameplay is streamlined: at the start, three cards are flipped to reveal the polyomino patterns you must recreate using the remaining deck. As you place cards on the table, you have the freedom to rotate them or even layer them on top of previously placed cards to build the required shapes. However, there's a twist: you must avoid covering the glass blocks, which adds a layer of strategic tension to every move. Whether you're tackling the challenge solo or working cooperatively with a team to brainstorm the best layout, the goal is to complete all the patterns before the deck runs out. If you manage to fit everything perfectly, the project is a success! As the debut title of the Piquinim Collection, Cobogó embodies the series' spirit: small, fast, and clever games that provide a mental workout without the need for heavy rulebooks. It's the perfect choice for puzzle enthusiasts who enjoy spatial reasoning and want a taste of Brazilian architectural charm in a dynamic, cooperative experience. Quick to set up and challenging to master, it's a bite-sized brain-burner that fits anywhere. ## How to Play Objective of the Game Take on the role of architects designing a mosaic of cobogó bricks to match your clients' requests. Cobogó is a cooperative game where players work together to complete patterns shown on reserved cards. You all win if you successfully match all patterns before running out of cards—or lose together if you fail. Preparation (Setup) Shuffle all 18 cards and place them face-down as a draw pile in the center. Draw 3 cards from the pile and place them face-up as reserved patterns. Each must show unique cobogó brick types (colors/patterns). If a duplicate appears, discard it and draw a replacement. Deal 2 cards to each player as their starting hand. Keep these secret. The player who "built a wall most recently" goes first. Game Flow Play proceeds clockwise. On your turn: Place cobogó bricks: Play a card to expand the mosaic (see "Actions and How to Play" for rules). Draw a card: Refill your hand from the draw pile. If the pile is empty, play with your remaining cards. Players may discuss patterns but cannot reveal their hand. Actions and How to Play Placing Cobogó Bricks Play a card from your hand to the table: The first card can be placed anywhere. Subsequent cards must: Touch other cards at the sides (not just corners). Align with the cobogó grid (not necessarily the card edges). Not cover glass blocks from other cards (if playing with Vidraçaria expansion). Cards may be rotated or overlapped to fit. Pattern Rules To complete a reserved pattern: Patterns can be rotated or mirrored. Identical cobogó bricks must form the exact shape shown, with no extra adjacent bricks (orthogonally; diagonals don’t count). Each pattern must appear the number of times indicated on its card. End of Game and Scoring The game ends instantly if all reserved patterns are completed simultaneously. Victory titles are awarded based on unused cards: 0: Promising Interns 1: Competent Builders 2: Great Construction Foremen 3: Incredible Engineers 4+: Exceptional Architects If you run out of cards before completing all patterns, you lose. Tips to Win Prioritize overlapping: Cover misplaced bricks to fix invalid patterns. Coordinate secretly: Discuss patterns without revealing your hand to plan placements strategically. Expansion Rules (Optional) Vidraçaria Components: 4 glass-pattern cards. Setup: Reserve 1 glass card (total 4 patterns). Glass patterns follow the same rules as cobogó patterns. Win Condition: Complete all 4 patterns. Janelão Components: 2 window cards. Setup: Reserve 2 cobogó patterns + 1 window card. Start the mosaic with the other window card. Rules: Window patterns can use any cobogó type (all must match) and cannot count toward other patterns. Clientes Especiais Components: 3 special-pattern cards (e.g., capybara). Setup: Reserve 2 cobogó patterns + 1 special card. Rules: Special patterns can use any cobogó type (all must match). ## FAQ ### Is the game complex? Not at all! The rules are very simple and quick to learn, but the challenge lies in the logic of building the patterns. ### How long does a game last? It's very fast, usually around 15 minutes, making it an ideal 'filler' between larger games. ### Can I play it solo? Yes, it works perfectly as a solo game, acting as a logical spatial puzzle. ### What's in the box? It's a microgame, so it comes with a small set of 18 cards. ### Do I need much table space? Hardly any! Since it's a small card game, you can play it almost anywhere. ### Is it suitable for beginners? Absolutely. It's a great entry point for those wanting to explore puzzle and cooperative games.