Stats:
No. of players: 2
Amount of time to play: 45 min
Age requirements: 10+
Set-up time: minimal

In Piñata you collect candy by playing cards to win medals. The first player to collect three medals wins the game.

Pinata Rules Description:

To begin Piñata place the four mats numbered one through four on the table. Place a candy token on each mat equal to the number it. The candy tokens are drawn randomly from the bag and come in five colors. Then deal each player eight cards.

On your turn you place a card that matches the color of one of the candy tokens on the mat or a wild card. The number of candy tokens determines the total number of cards that may be played next to it by each player. So the mat numbered one can have one card on each player’s side of it. If your side of the mat is full you can play a card on your opponent’s side. You cannot play a card that would fill both sides of the mat and make the card totals equal.

Once a mat is full on both sides, it scores. The mats have an arrow pointing up and one pointing down. The player with the highest or lowest total on the cards on their side gets all the candy tokens on their side. The two-sided mats have an arrow pointing up on one side and one pointing down on the other. An up arrow means the player with the highest total gets the candy tokens. The lowest goal wins if there is a down arrow on the mat. After scoring the mat is flipped and the player that did not get the tokens take their turn.

After you get candy tokens you can collect a medal. Each medal requires a different number of candy tokens to collect based on the candy rarity. The first player to get three medals wins the game.

Quick Review of Pinata:

Piñata is fun game for kids and couples. It is a good filler for adults and kids really enjoy it. This game is easy to play and teach which makes it very accessible.

The art and components for this game are bright. They go well with theme and vibe of this game. The components are well-made too. The rules are easy to read and explain things well. I do have one minor quibble, the candy tokens can blend into the mats. Not a big deal but something to be aware of when placing the candy.

Piñata has some basic strategy but it can be pretty random and the cards you get can determine your chances of winning. If you are looking for a highly strategic two-player game this is not it. But it is a fun light game that you can enjoy with your kids or non-gamer friends. It even fits the bill when you are looking for a filler for two.

Score and synopsis: (Click here for an explanation of these review categories.)
Strategy 3 out of 6
Luck 4 out of 6
Player Interaction 4 out of 6
Replay Value 4 out of 6
Complexity 2 out of 6
Fun 4 out of 6
Overall 4 out of 6