BoardGame Verdict
85

Gizmos is an engine-building resource management game where players collect energy marbles to construct powerful gadgets. Players trigger chain reactions and combos to build their tableau and earn points. Each turn, players choose from a set of actions, aiming to create the most efficient and point-scoring network of gizmos by the end of the game.

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85

The Verdict

based on 30 reviews

Positive 0%
Mixed 0%
Satisfying engine-building combos and chain reactions
Visually appealing marble dispenser and table presence
Easy to learn and streamlined rules
Well-paced escalation of capabilities
High replayability from varied cards
Slow game start
Prone to analysis paralysis
Can lack depth for experienced players
Marble dispenser can stagnate, especially with fewer players
95
Game Boy Geek, Dan King (The Game Boy Geek)Video

The Game Boy Geek highly recommends Gizmos, praising its fantastic engine-building mechanics, satisfying chain reactions, and excellent value, noting it as one of the best games he played that year despite potential for turns to slow down at the very end.

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95
The GuardianArticleTop List

“Look beyond this physical gimmick, though, and you will find a slick and streamlined game about inventors trying to claim the top prize in a prestigious science fair. There is a powerful sense of progression as you incrementally augment your machine, and it is deeply satisfying seeing its parts starting to work together.”

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95
Rahdo Runs Through, Rahdo (Richard Ham)Video

Rahdo praises Gizmos as a wonderfully fun, charming, and quick-playing engine builder that offers more engaging decisions and faster tension compared to similar games, making it a highly enjoyable experience for both two and four players.

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90
The Board Game FamilyArticle

“It really starts to feel like you’ve invented a Rube Goldberg contraption. When it all comes together it is incredibly satisfying.”

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90
Boardgames with Niramas, CarloVideo

The reviewer highly recommends Gizmos, praising it as a great, fun, and highly replayable engine-building game that offers excellent value for its price and provides satisfying chain reactions.

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90
Tantrum House, Sarah MeadowsVideo

The reviewer highly praises Gizmos as a fun and streamlined engine-building game with an enjoyable science fair theme and appealing artwork. She highlights its accessibility for various ages due to clear iconography and well-designed components, especially appreciating the use of durable acrylic marbles.

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90
All You Can Board, CarloVideo

The reviewer praises Gizmos as a super fun engine-building game, highlighting the excitement of its chain reactions and how turns become increasingly impactful.

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90
Roll For Crit, SaraVideo

The reviewer found Gizmos to be an enjoyable and accessible engine-building game with a great science fair theme, fun artwork, clear iconography, and durable components that make it suitable for both adults and younger players.

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90
AV Club, Keith LawArticleTop List

“Turns can be very quick to keep everyone engaged, and the satisfaction of building an efficient engine and then hitting those bonuses is a huge appeal. Also, there’s a gumball dispenser.”

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90
Man vs Meeple, Jeremy Salinas and David WaybrightVideo

The reviewers praise Gizmos as a highly satisfying engine-building game with abundant combos and chain reactions, making it enjoyable for various player types, from families to enthusiast gamers.

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90
Tabletop Bellhop, Moe TousignantVideo

The reviewer highly enjoyed Gizmos, describing it as an impressive engine-building game with high replayability and a unique marble dispenser, preferring it over similar games like Splendor and Century Spice Road.

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90
Topping the Table, Jamie HopkinsArticle

“The greatest contenders go beyond the turn at hand and see the whole tableau: energy sources, marbles, and Gizmos as a symphony, performing together towards triumph, guided both by the heat of tactics and the north star of strategy.”

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