Rush Hour Duel from ThinkFun is immediately familiar to anyone who has browsed the free games section of their favorite app store. It’s a straightforward spatial logic puzzle that can be played as a solo challenge or as a 2-player duel. Toss out the free game ads and put it on your tabletop, and it’s quite the winning formula.
The game features a stack of challenges that escalate in difficulty over four levels. The first set is fairly trivial, but a nice intro to the game for those who might be unfamiliar with the concept or for younger players. The level 4 challenges can be quite difficult. Each challenge has the solution on the back if you get stuck, but you are only cheating yourself if you choose to use it. I say, try again!
While the game can be played as an enjoyable solo puzzle, the Duel aspect is where it gets really exciting. Each player's board locks together with a finish line in the middle. The first player to get their red card across the finish line wins the race. The extra stress of racing another player is what takes the game from a fun puzzle I would occasionally pull out to a game that I am always up for pulling out and testing myself against another player. Solving a puzzle scratches my brain in a very satisfying way, but solving a puzzle better than someone else is just chef's kiss.
As fun as the game is, the components and presentation leave a bit on the table. All of the plastic feels pretty bland, and while you do get different-colored vehicle pieces to spice it up a bit, there is a lack of detail that makes the entire package feel a bit cheap. The box comes with a completely useless insert and isn’t what you’d expect from a modern hobby board game. For $25 though, it’s acceptable if you know what you are getting.
Replayability can be a problem if you play a lot in a short period of time, but there are enough puzzles that a break from the game should allow you to pick it back up and keep going as long as you don’t have a photographic memory or something; with only 40 challenges included, your mileage may vary.
Rush Hour Duel
Good
Rush Hour Duel is a great solo puzzle game and a blast as a Duel. The feeling of superiority you get from solving a puzzle faster than your opponent is top-tier gaming. While the production value isn't very exciting, the game is priced appropriately.
Pros
- Fantastic Duel experience
- Fun logic puzzle that will be familiar to most
- Later challenges are legitimately challenging
Cons
- Earlier challenges are trivial
- 40 challenges may not be enough if you play it a lot
This review is based on a retail copy provided by the publisher.
