Zendo
Build pyramid structures, learn what the Moderator's secret rule allows, and be first to name it.
Who it's for
You love logic puzzles and experiments, and enjoy a group of curious people arguing over hypotheses. It is a favorite of puzzle fans.
Not for you if…
You want a fast, light party game or you dislike the pressure of being the Moderator. It asks for patience and clear thinking.
Vibe's take
Thoughtful and surprising. Theories rise and fall with every new structure, and the best moments come when someone builds the perfect test case.
About this game
One player becomes the Moderator and invents a secret rule about what makes a structure of pyramids special – maybe it has to contain a red piece pointing at a blue one, or maybe it just needs an even number of pieces. Everyone else builds little arrangements out of the pieces, the Moderator marks which ones follow the rule, and the group studies the patterns to work out the hidden logic. The first person to correctly guess the rule wins. It is inductive reasoning in its purest form, inspired by Eleusis, and it is one of the best things you can do with a handful of pyramids. Be ready for the moment when the whole table realizes they have been overthinking it.
Get it
Categories
By the numbers
Players
Duration
15–60 min
Ages 8+
Complexity
2.5 / 5 — MediumBGG Rating
6.5/10
Rank #1,381
3.5k ratings
Published
2001
Designed by
Andrew Looney, Kory Heath
Published by
Looney Labs
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