- Publisher(s) : BLAM !
- Designer(s) : Léo Baynaud
- Artiste(s) : .
- Players : 1–4
- Playing time : 30 Min
- Weight BGG : 1.00
What's this?
MOZAÏK is a game of observation, word association, and creativity designed by Léo Baynaud. Players gradually build a grid composed of 9 images and 9 words, aiming to create the best possible matches between them. Each word placed around the grid must be linked to the images in its row or column, either through a visible element or a general atmosphere.
How do you play?
The game is played over 9 rounds . In each round, each player will place an image and a word in their grid.
1. Choose an image
All players simultaneously select one of the three Image cards from their hand and place it face down in front of them.
2. Revelation and turn order
The cards are revealed simultaneously.
The turn order is determined by the number shown on each image: the lowest number plays first.
3. Game Turn
Choose a word
In turn, the player selects one of the available Word cards in the center of the table.
Place the image and the word
- The image is added to the grid.
- The word is placed at the end of a row or column.
Update the points
Each time a word matches an image, the player adjusts their gems on the relevant Word card to reflect their new score.
An association is valid if:
- the element is visible in the image;
- or if the overall atmosphere matches the word.
Reconstructing his hand
Two possibilities:
- keep the two remaining cards and draw a new image;
- Discard the two remaining cards and then draw three new ones.
Warning: each pair of cards discarded will cause you to lose 1 point at the end of the game.
End of round
The word remaining in the center is discarded and then new words are revealed.
End of game
After the ninth round, the players total the points obtained on their Word cards.
Is it good?
MOZAÏK wants to reinvent picture and word association games by adding a mechanic of building and optimizing a card grid in order to maximize victory points, and the result is quite convincing.
The game will remind us of some well-known titles in the genre. We find the card tableau construction of Mot Malin , the image association and free interpretation characteristic of Dixit , as well as a turn order system that is reminiscent of Faraway .
Every decision counts. Should you grab a high-scoring word that’s difficult to match? Start placing an image to prepare for several future associations, hoping to find the perfect word later? Or, on the contrary, secure a few points immediately, even if it doesn’t allow you to maximize your score?
The turn order mechanic, determined by the numbers on the Image cards, also presents its share of dilemmas. Should you play that perfect image to complete a line, risking giving priority to your opponents and having the ideal word in the center of the table snatched away? Or would you prefer to play a less valuable card to guarantee your place in the turn order?
The game also regularly gives rise to debates about the proposed associations. Everyone then tries to defend their interpretation, which often creates amusing exchanges and fully contributes to the atmosphere around the table.
On the downside, the game suffers from a certain degree of randomness linked to the Image cards available each round. If the illustrations drawn from your hand don’t correspond to any of the words in the center of the table, you risk being more at the mercy of the situation than actively developing your strategy. Some players may also be sensitive to the inherent subjectivity of the associations of ideas and the discussions they spark. But ultimately, these exchanges are also part of the fun, provided you don’t become too nitpicky.
Ultimately, MOZAÏK successfully takes several tried-and-tested concepts and combines them into a coherent and effective formula. Accessible, attractive, and original, it offers a very enjoyable family experience that rewards both observation skills and creativity.
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Mozaïk review
Positives
- Original concept combining association of ideas and grid construction
- Tactical choices between optimization and risk-taking
- Clever turn order system
- Stunning illustrations rich in detail
- Simple rules accessible to a wide audience
- Fun discussions and interactions around associations
Negatives
- Element of chance linked to the images available in each round
- Some Word cards may be more difficult to use depending on the draw.
- The subjectivity of associations can lead to disagreements.
- Players with less imagination may be at a slight disadvantage
