Pick the Lock Review

by | Nov 6, 2015 | Game Reviews

We were lucky enough to receive a review copy of Pick the Lock by Portal Dragon.  This will be their second Kickstarter and launches on Saturday Nov. 7th. here’s the link

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Each player takes on the role of a master thief and during their turn tries to steal a treasure from either the vault or from their fellow ne’er-do-wells.  They say there’s no honor among thieves, is that true?  Lets put it to the test!  If you ever thought you could do better then the Oceans 11 crew here’s your chance to put your money where your mouth is. Or at least your chance to play a card and guess at a number and well……you know what I mean.

Set up:

Each player picks a set of the colored thief cards, either red, yellow, blue or green.  Place the grey combination cards in the center of the table and then randomly select the treasures to stock the vault.  The number of players will determine the number of treasures in play.  2 player = 5 treasures, 3 players = 7 treasures and 4 players = 9 treasures.  Place the treasure cards in the center of the table as well.

Playing the game:

Each player should randomly draw one card from their hand.  The player with the highest number goes first.

On your turn you may do one of two things.  You may either play one of your thief cards to target a treasure located in the vault or in another players hand.  Alternately you may choose to discard a card from your hand and return one treasure you own to the vault.

The cards in your thief deck are numbered 4-8.  When you play a card place it face up on the table, it determines the range of the combination you are trying to crack.  If you are attempting to steal a treasure from the vault the player to your right will select three cards within the range and place them face down on the table.  Call out a number within the range and if any of the cards match that number you successfully steal the treasure.  Take the treasure card and place it face up in front of you.  Whether you are successful or not, discard that thief card.

If you are attempting to steal from another player you will again play one of your thief cards face up on the table and the targeted player will select one card from the combination deck and place it face down on the table.   Call out a number within the range and if the card matches that number you successfully steal the treasure.  Take the treasure card and place it face up in front of you.  Each treasure card has its own in game effect.  You may use any number of relevant effects from your opponents treasures during your attempt to plunder them.  Whether you are successful or not, discard that thief card.

The game can be played in two different “modes”.  The default mode is with a closed vault, as described above, with the treasures selected randomly and placed face down on the table.  The second mode is with an open vault, where all of the treasures are placed face up on the table.  In either mode players may choose to stack the vault.  Players choose which treasures to include in the vault and play them either face up or face down on the table.

Winning:

Play continues until all of the thief cards have been used.  The player with the most treasures wins.

Thoughts:

This is a light strategy, beer and pretzels game.  It has a an easy game mechanic and it’s quick to get on the table. With a play time of about 15 to 30 minutes you can whip this out pretty much any time.  Somebody’s late to your game session, no problem.  Wife is taking forever to get ready to go out, no worries, grab your copy of Pick the Lock and play with the kids.  The game is about the size of a standard deck of cards so it’s very portable, also a plus.  You can take it to work or school or to your next RPG session because you know that one guy is going to be late…..again!  It has all the things I like in a game, fun, easy to play, portable, and quick.  So go and check it out and grab yourself a copy you won’t be disappointed and tell ’em Legends of Tabletop sent you.