Block Ness
Review

Block Ness (2021) is a traversal game where players try to create the longest monster. You take turns inserting 3D Monster pieces into a board to extend the length of your creature. It is about finding a way to twist and turn your monster so that you can avoid getting trapped and become the biggest fish in a small loch.

You play as one of four Block Ness Monsters, who have decided to stick their necks out above the water and fight for space in which to grow. You do this by adding one of ten differently-sized looping Monster pieces to the front or end of your monster. The only rules are that your pieces must be placed next to either end of your existing monster and you can only cross over an opponent's monster if you can go above them.

As you play, the board becomes fuller and your pieces fewer and less varied. You must think ahead and select your pieces carefully or become trapped with no space to grow into. The game ends when you are all blocked from moving or you have all placed all of your Monster pieces into the Loch. The player with the fewest Monster pieces remaining wins the game.

What starts as a simple spatial puzzle quickly becomes a complex tussle for space. You need to grow your monster carefully, each time selecting a Monster piece that keeps you out of trouble whilst reserving key pieces for later in the game.

Our examiner, Rob Prior, first checked Block Ness 18 months ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 9 months ago.