Four Senses
Four Senses Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Game Content
- 1 wooden board
- 3 sleeping masks
- 1 rulebook
- 24 wooden pieces:
- 8 single-level flat pieces
- 8 single-level pieces with holes
- 8 two-level pieces (flat on one side, with a hole on the other side)
The Idea of the Game
Four Senses is a strategy board game with unique gameplay, where players are blindfolded and have to use their sense of touch to win the game. The first player to align 4 pieces in a row (horizontally, vertically or diagonally), either identical or on the same level, or to align 3 rising steps wins the game.
Four Senses is a game that can be played by sighted and sight-impaired players alike, with no advantage to either player.
Setting Up the Game
Before starting the game, place the board and the pieces nearby. Sort them by type, it will make it easier to find them afterwards. Put the sleeping masks on, and make sure the players cannot see: the game can now start. Younger players can play with their eyes open first, in order to familiarize themselves with the game.
How to Play
The youngest player starts the game. In turn, take one piece and place it into any space on the board, either into an empty space, or into a space already occupied by a piece. There can be up to 2 pieces in each space. Each piece modifies the board: players will have to touch it to know where the pieces played by the opponent are before placing a new one.
Beware: You are not allowed to place a piece on a space that already has its two levels filled. The only way to have 3 levels is to place in the space a one-level piece and then a two-level piece on top of it (not the other way round).
How to Win
There are 3 ways to win:
- Align 4 identical pieces in a row. Either 4 flat pieces, or 4 pieces with holes. The height of the pieces can be different.
- Align 4 pieces at the same level. The pieces can be on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd level. The pieces do not have to be all identical.
- Create 3-step stairs. Align 3 pieces in ascending or descending order, one at the 1st level, one at the 2nd level and one at the 3rd level. The ceramic part (an empty hole) does not count as a step in stairs.
Beware: If one player places a winning piece but does not notice it and does not declare they have won, the game continues. If the next player notices it and declares it, he or she wins the game, even though they didn't place the winning piece.
Rules for 3 Players
The game is played in 3 rounds, each player starting the game once. In turn, going clockwise, each player takes one piece and places it on the board, until one of the victory conditions is achieved.
The players count their score as follows:
- The winning player gets 5 points.
- The one who played directly before the winning player, helping him or her to win, gets 0 points.
- The other player gets 3 points.
Bonus: a player achieving 2 winning conditions at the same time (i.e. 4 identical pieces and at the same level, or stairs with 3 identical pieces) gets an extra point (well done!).
After 3 rounds, the player with the highest score wins the game.
Option
If you don't feel comfortable wearing masks, you can cover the board and all the tokens with a napkin or another piece of fabric.