Laser Maze by ThinkFun ~ Review

Love it? Pls Share it!

2013 Holiday Gift Guide Suggestion

This post contains affiliate links.

‘Think’ and ‘fun’, are two words that are usually not heard together, unless that is, you are talking about some of the best brain teasers, puzzles and logic games created by ThinkFun!  With games for all ages from toddlers to adults, ThinkFun literally puts the fun in thinking! Their games are great for both children and adults, and combine play with thinking to help build both reasoning and creative thinking skills in a fun, challenging way!  They have games to challenge and improve skills in every area from math to verbal, from reasoning to memory, and even visual.  Teachers and parents alike know that children learn best if the lesson is fun, not boring. For adults their games challenge what you already know and keeps your thinking and reasoning skills sharp!

I recently had the opportunity to review Laser Maze, one of the newest ThinkFun games. Laser Maze is a game of logic for ages 8 to adult that uses lasers, mirrors and science to create a modern-day maze game. It is a single or multi-player game (taking turns) where the object is to direct a laser beam through a series of mind challenging mazes. Laser Maze comes with one game grid, 11 game tokens and 60 Challenge Cards with the solutions on the back, and 1 Symbols Key Card.

How To Play

The object of the game is to arrange the laser to hit specified tokens on the game grid in order to activate (light up) the indicated number of targets. Although each Challenge Card will show you the position and orientation of some of the tokens, it is up to you to figure out where to position and direct the remaining tokens you are told to use so that the laser will reach the intended targets.

To start you select one of the 60 Challenge Cards, of which there are four different levels of expertise from Beginner to Expert, and place it inside the holder at the top of the game grid. On each card will be a picture of the grid showing the challenge you are to complete, the tokens you are required to use to meet the challenge, and the number of targets you must activate. Underneath the words “ADD TO CARD” are the tokens you are required to use for the challenge. It will also show the “# OF TARGETS” which is how many targets the laser must be directed to hit and activate (Light Up).

When looking at the illustration of the game grid on the Challenge Card, there will also be one of two symbols shown inside each token; if it shows the outline of a token, then you must place that token inside the exact cell in the orientation (which way to direct the mirror) indicated. If it shows a question mark, it is up to you to figure out the orientation of that token. The harder the level of expertise, the less you will be given the orientation of the tokens, and you will be required to use more tokens and activate more targets.

My Verdict

We have spent hours playing this, taking turns and seeing who can get to the highest level. As a teacher, I believe it is a great game for challenging and increasing a child’s abstract thinking skills and enhancing their understanding of science. As a kid at heart, I love a challenge and playing with “cool” gadgets, and Laser Maze provides both! As a mom, it provides hours of fun for the whole family! It really makes you think, but it is fun!

Laser Maze can be purchased directly through ThinkFun online, where all orders over $25 have free shipping in the U.S. You can also find it through Amazon.com. Many of their games can also be found at a store near you, just enter your zip code HERE to find a location close to you! This would make a great Christmas gift for family and friends! Be sure to check out ThinkFun on both Facebook and Twitter for new products, deals, promotions and more!