Onirim -- To Sleep Perchance to Dream

[Gerald]

Onirim is a game for 1 or 2 players, recently released by Z-Man Games.  Its a card game that focuses on simplicity rather than complexity and its not for those who want to sit thru hours of deep thought and agonizing decision making.  In fact, it only takes about fifteen minutes to play and comes with 3 expansions already in the box with it! 

Its not the greatest game ever invented... far from it.  It's a solid game that you can bring with you wherever you go and bring out to play when you want to kill some time.  But... I'm getting ahead of myself. 

COMPONENTS:
Onirim comes in a small box packed with lots of cards.  And that's it.  But since its a cheaper than a nice deck of Bicycle Cards (the unique ones), I'd consider it a bargain.

The cards are of good quality and the artwork is simple but effective.  It conveys the dreamlike setting quite well, and though the theme isn't exactly dripping (after all, you'd be hard pressed to immerse yourself in 15 minutes or less), but it is there.

GAMEPLAY:
The way the game works is very simple (at least the basic game is).  You start by laying down a card or discarding a card, draw a card to replace it, resolve any doors/nightmares drawn, shuffle if needed.  Rinse and repeat.

You win the game if you are able to collect all 8 doors (4 each if you're playing 2 players).  A door can be claimed two ways.  First is you have to have the corresponding key should you happen to draw a door.  The second is for you to lay down three of the same colored cards in a row.  That's it.  Yes, there're a few nuances I'm leaving out, but that's the basic gist of the way the game plays.

COMPARING IT TO OTHER CARD GAMES:
At its heart, this is a set collecting game.  Does it compare to other solitaire fast-playing set collection games?  Yes and no.  Yes in the sense that some of what you do are similar.  You draw from a pile and shuffle it every so often and draw again.  No because as much as there is luck involved, there is also some strategy (albeit not deep strategy IMHO) that you have to employ to help you win.  There's a hint of hand management and timing that's slightly different in feel compared to other solitaire or set collection card games.  Plus, the solitaire AND co-op aspect rolled into one simple card game is unique (or at least it is to me).

FINAL THOUGHTS:
I think that Onirim is a nice, solid game that can be whipped out anytime you find yourself with some time to kill and wanting to do something enjoyable and finishes really quick.  Its not likely to win any awards, but its not a bad game by any stretch.

Am I glad I got it?  I'm satisfied.  For the price, you definitely get value for money and the fast game time makes up for the lack of immersion.  I look forward to getting more plays in with the expansions.

Should you get it?  I think this is one of those try before you buy games.  Its not gonna knock your socks off... but if you give it a chance, it can and probably will endear itself to you. 

Overall, an above average game that deserves at least a play or two (or four) from you.