Introduction
My journey into the world of flip-and-write games began with Silver & Gold designed by Phil Walker-Harding. This game is easy to teach and learn. It is fast-paced, language-independent, and the game is perfect as a palette cleanser or a board game to play with those that may be apprehensive or new to gaming.
Components
Inside the small rectangular box, you'll find dry erase markers, a rulebook, and cards:
Rulebook: easy to follow with clear instructions and helpful pictures
4 Faber Castell Dry Erase Markers: High-quality markers with a fine tip for precise writing. This brought a bit of nostalgia as growing up these brand was considered gold. The friends I play with didn’t get my admiration for the brand, but we all complain at the other board games that come with markers as none compare to Faber Castell
48 Color-blind-friendly Treasure Cards: Divided into four color categories with unique symbols and point values that are required to be filled before claiming the card for scoring:
Purple cards: feature a diamond with 14 spaces
Orange cards: display a crown with 12 spaces
Silver cards: showcase a pirate-looking sword with 8 spaces
Green cards: present a necklace with 10 spaces
8 Expedition Cards: Feature six different patterns, resembling Tetris pieces. Used to fill treasure cards
Round Card: Tracks the game's progress
4 Score Cards: Keep track of players' scores
Gameplay
The objective of the game is to score the most points over four rounds by completing treasure maps, spotting palm trees, and collecting coins swiftly. Players take turns drawing shapes on their treasure maps based on the shapes shown on the expedition cards. Coins are also collected throughout the game, and players earn bonus points for collecting the most coins at the end of each round. The first player to complete a row of coins on their score cards earns a trophy and additional points. Palm trees are counted for each card in play including the display ones once a player marks one. Additionally, some cards have a red “X” that allow you to fill an extra square in any of your treasure maps.
When a player completes a card, they draw another treasure card from the available ones in the center of the table. Be mindful of the seal bonuses on the right of some cards. These bonuses allow you to score more points per color selected, but don't get greedy. Sometimes these cards are harder to fill.
Scoring and Winning
After four rounds, players tally their completed treasures, seal bonuses, coins, and palm trees. The player with the most points wins the game. Ties are rare, but if they do occur, they are broken by counting grey cards first, followed by green, orange, and finally purple cards.
What I Like
I'm a huge fan of this game, and there's very little about it that I don't enjoy. It's a great introduction to the world of flip and write games, as it's straightforward, quick to learn, and offers an engaging level of complexity. This game is an affordable way to introduce someone to the world of gaming without breaking the bank. Plus, it's a versatile gift that can be enjoyed by gamers of all ages and skill levels. and I really, really like the Faber Castell dry erase markers that come with the game. I wish all roll and writes came with Faber Castells.
Pros
• Quick and easy to learn and teach
• Language-independent
• Fast-paced short game
• High-quality components, especially the Faber Castell dry erase markers
• Portable game, great for pubs and travels
• Lots of replayability
Cons
• The game's reliance on what is flipped for treasure and expedition cards can make it frustrating when luck isn't on your side
• No erasers
Conclusion
Silver Gold is easy to learn and teach, making it a great choice for experienced and new gamers alike. The components are high-quality, and even though we've played this one over 100 times, the cards still look great. The box, though, has had a hard and well-lived life.
Happy gaming!
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