Mental Blocks

Pandasaurus Games, Galápagos Jogos, Hobby Japan · Board game · 2019
7.4 Ludopedia 6.8 BGG 2–9 · best 4 10–20 min Weight 1.5/5
Buy
7.4 rating Ludopedia
6.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy cooperative games that put communication and agility to the test, Mental Blocks is for you! It's pure chaotic and fast-paced fun.

Highlights
  • Communication under pressure
  • Dynamic spatial building
  • Varied creative challenges
  • Intense cooperative experience
Keep in mind
  • Can cause frustration
  • Depends on group dynamics
  • Silence rules are tough
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready for a test of communication and spatial reasoning in Mental Blocks! Here, the gang teams up (or doesn't!) to build structures using large, colorful blocks, but with a twist: each player only sees the model from one angle. It's like trying to build your friend's Lego set without seeing the whole box, you know? And to make things tougher (or better, depending on your mood!), all of this happens against the clock. No time for chit-chat or getting paralyzed staring at the pieces; we need to act fast! Plus, there are extra rules to spice things up: maybe you can't talk at all, or worse, you can't even touch certain colored blocks. There are 60 challenges, split between family mode (easier) and challenge mode (for those who like to sweat it out). And if you're one of those who enjoys a good dose of suspicion, you can introduce a traitor into the game to watch the circus catch fire! Mental Blocks is perfect for those who enjoy cooperative games with a touch of madness, testing communication and the ability to think fast under pressure. It's an intense and fun experience that will lead to plenty of laughs and perhaps some friendly arguments about who was to blame for that piece in the wrong spot. Great for gatherings with friends who aren't intimidated by a little organized chaos!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–9 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
5 REC
6 BEST
7 REC
8 OK
9 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Mechanism: Perspective Misc: Mensa Select
Publisher Pandasaurus Games, Galápagos Jogos, Hobby Japan
Designer Jonathan Gilmour-Long, Micah Sawyer
Artist Katie Khau

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
What is the average playtime for Mental Blocks?
Games are super fast, usually between 10 and 20 minutes, thanks to the time limit!
How many people can play Mental Blocks?
It works well with 2 to 9 players, making it quite flexible for various group sizes.
Is the game very complicated to learn?
The premise is simple, but the execution can be challenging! The basic rules are easy, but mastering communication and real-time building takes a little while.
What are the blocks made of?
The blocks are made of foam, making them large, lightweight, and safe to handle, even in the rush.
Is it a game for deep thinkers?
Yes! It requires spatial reasoning and a lot of non-verbal (or verbal, depending on the rules) communication, all at high speed.
Can I play with children?
Absolutely! The 'family mode' is more accessible and can be a great activity to develop collaboration and logical reasoning in children around 8 years old and up.
What if we don't communicate well?
That's where the fun (and challenge) lies! If communication fails, the chance of not completing the puzzle increases, which can be frustrating, but also very funny to watch.

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