Skyrockets – Timers, Tactics, and Magical Fireworks

As the Mage Academy closes for summer, a discovery is made – a book titled “Magical Recreational Aerial Explosive Devices and You, Volume I.” This sets the stage for an adventurous journey into the world of magical fireworks.

👥 2-5 players, ages 10+
⌛ Playing time: 10 minutes
📝 Designer: Charlie McCarron
🎨 Artwork: Silly Jellie

🏢 Publisher: Floodgate Games (review copy provided)

Skyrockets is a cooperative game where players work together to create dazzling fireworks displays. By playing Fireworks Cards and flipping corresponding sand timers, players engage in a test of timing, strategy, and effective communication. The aim is to progress the Countdown Timer along its track while managing other timers. Success in an event is marked by reaching the end of the Countdown Timer track, with the potential to earn stars based on performance.

🗓 The game offers a variety of 30 events, each with different challenges and rule variations. Players can follow the Festival Guide to attempt earning 3-star ratings for these events or craft their own festival experience by selecting their favorite events.

⏳ Skyrockets is a real-time game that cannot be paused once started. It begins with setting up timers as indicated on the Event Card, including the Countdown Timer. Players take turns to play a Fireworks Card, flipping the timers that match the icons on the card. The game continues in a clockwise direction, with each player’s turn ending by drawing a new card.

🕒 The Countdown Timer has a special role. Players aim for this timer to run out, moving it forward on the track when playing a matching card. However, this action is only valid if the timer is empty, not when it is running.

👥 If a timer (other than the Countdown Timer) runs out, it indicates a failed event, risking the loss of the crowd’s interest. Players have limited chances, represented by Crowd Tokens, to rectify this by flipping the expired timer immediately. The game faces a loss if the third Crowd Token is flipped.

🏆 The game concludes in two ways: You win by successfully advancing the Countdown Timer to the final space. The star rating is determined based on the unused Crowd Tokens. The game ends in a loss if a timer expires and the third Crowd Token is flipped.

🎢 After mastering the basics, players can explore festivals, a series of themed events, and track their progress and ratings. The game also offers an Encore Envelope with additional events and surprises after completing the main festivals, and players can even choose random events or create a custom festival. For experienced players seeking more thrill, Skyrockets offers a Challenge Mode, which involves using longer timers for the Countdown.

Skyrockets, designed by Charlie McCarron and published by Floodgate Games, is a worthy sequel to the popular game Kites. This real-time cooperative game for 2 to 4 players comes with straightforward rules and brisk gameplay. Each session lasts approximately 5 minutes, yet it encourages repeated plays. Whether your team loses or wins, there’s an inherent urge to dive into the next challenge.

🔧 The game’s components are solid, featuring 6 timers with durations varying from 30 to 80 seconds. While the overall quality of these components is commendable, the Fireworks Cards, despite their stunning artwork by Silly Jellie, fall a bit short in durability. After a few rounds, we noticed some wear on these cards, which is slightly disappointing given their visually captivating design.

⚡ In terms of gameplay, Skyrockets delivers an exhilarating and fast-paced experience. It brings a blend of excitement and tension to the gaming table. The game often feels like a lively party game, filled with chaos yet requiring calm, strategic teamwork and communication. Players find themselves in a balancing act, deciding when to play a card or hold back for the right moment, building anticipation and strategy.

🌟 What truly adds to the game’s charm is the diversity of its events. Each event introduces a slight twist to the rules, ensuring that no two games feel exactly the same. This variety not only enhances the game’s replayability but also keeps the excitement fresh and engaging.

💭 Skyrockets is an enjoyable game that consistently delivers laughter and fun to the gaming table. It’s versatile enough to be a hit with kids and families, while also serving as an excellent filler or concluding game after more complex board games.

📝 Disclaimer: We received a review copy of Skyrockets from the publisher, Floodgate Games.