Stats:
No. of players: 2-6
Amount of time to play: 30-45 min
Age requirements: 8+
Set-up time: minimal

Potion-Making Practice Rules Description:

Potion-Making Practice is a card game about making potions. You are a young wizard and score points for the different potions you make. The more complex the potion the more points you score.

You start the game with four cards. On your turn you draw until you have five cards and play one card. Each card may be used in a couple different ways. The bottom half of the card shows an element used to make potions. The top half of the card shows a potion and the elements it takes to make that potion, as well as the points you score for making it.

At the start of the Potion-Making Practice, there are four cards in the middle of the table. Cards in this area only give you elements to build your potions. If you play a card here it simply adds to the common pool. Place the card on top of the element stack of its type. If the element is not currently in the common pool, you start a new pile and score one point.

You also score by making potions basic potions are made of two or three elements and score you two or three points. More complex formulas contain other potions. You can use other players’ potions to make your own. If you do they will score half the number of points as you do. No matter what potion you make it comes from your hand not the table.

There are also three types of spell card you can play, Transformation, Decomposition and Eureka. There are two of each type of spell in the deck and they also may be used as elements after being played.

Transformation allows you to change one of your current completed potions into one from the common area. Decomposition allows you to break up a current completed potion and keep one of the elements as a completed potion. Eureka allows you to take a card from the common supply into your hand.

Once all players are out of cards the game ends. If you have the most points you win.

A Quick Review of Potion-Making Practice:

Potion-Making Practice is simple to play and very elegant. It is an excellent filler that has more depth than most fillers. I am not even sure I should call it a filler. It can be played as a luck-fest but there is also some meat under the simplicity.

The art work is decent and the components while not high-end are good enough. The rules have been translated from Russian and in some spots it shows. Nothing is hard to draw the meaning from, but some sentences are worded awkwardly.

Being diligent and patient can help you have more control of the cards. It will take a few plays to become familiar with the formulas and potions available. But knowing is half the battle.

Even though there is are 16 elements and a good bit to keep track of, this game can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike and makes a great family game. If you are looking for a fun card game with some depth Potion-Making Practice will definitely fill that niche. Go here to buy this game.

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