Titus Tentakel (Titus Tentacle) Review

I think it is a tremendous mistake- and one I see committed often- to review or assess children’s games based on notions such as “meaningful decisions” or by comparing the title in question to entry-level Eurogames, many of which may still be beyond the grasp of young children. I am also not fond of reading reviews of children’s games where the writer goes to great lengths to explain how a game is or is not successful as some kind of indoctrination tool into the world of “better” board games. And then there are those whom analyze children’s games as they would an adult design, which is neither a fair nor accurate way to assess a type of game where the success is often as much about product design and physical presentation as it is about the mechanics of gameplay.

So when I look at a children’s game- like Haba’s new Titus Tentakel- the number one thing I look at is if the children I am playing with are having fun, are engaged and enjoy what they are doing. I am not worried about how the game stacks up to the much-maligned Candyland or Hi-Ho Cherry-O. The number two thing I look at is if I am having fun with them. If #1 and #2 are checked off, it’s usually a pretty good or even great children’s game. Titus Tentakel makes the grade as a good one and it also makes a great case for my argument for the importance of product design in the success or failure of a kids’ game.

Titus Tentakel is some high concept stuff if you are under 8 years old. Monkey pirates are attempting to make it to a treasure island and grab one while being menaced- and knocked off course- by a giant red octopus. I don’t know any kid who is not going to buy right into that; I’m 40 years old and all I needed was that pitch line be interested. Mechanically, it’s a simple roll-and-move game that most children 3 and up will be able to get a handle on. On your turn, you roll the die and move one of your monkey pirate ships (you have two) to the next available space of that color along a path surrounding Titus Tentakel. There is some super-light planning involved, because if you set it up right and luck out on a roll, you can actually send a monkey from the beginning all the way to the treasure pile. Three treasures win the day.

But of course, Titus Tentakel ain’t having it. Roll the red tentacle (or tentakel as the case may be) and the octopus strikes. Titus is basically a big red button on a pivoting platform. The player that rolled it turns Titus however he or she see fits and then smashes his head and out pop five tentacles from underneath, knocking any monkeys on the path in its way to the side. Potentially, a well-placed strike could take out five rival pirates, sending them back to start (it’s a soft penalty). There is also a rock obstacle halfway through the path where shrewd pirates can hide from the octopus’s wrath.

So when the path is full of players’ pieces and someone rolls that tentacle mark, it’s always fun and exciting- who’s going to get dunked? And because there’s a random element in turning Titus, it’s a little unpredictable as long as kids don’t look up under the disc to see where the tentacles are going to shoot out. And then there are always laughs when someone’s piece goes flying- or someone misses altogether.

The production is really nice, as is usual for HABA with the monkey pirates looking great, the board colorful, and the overall look of the board with the big red octopus in the middle making a great impression. Conceptually, this is an awesome piece of product design for a kid’s game. Bu there there are a couple of elements where I wish that it were just a little more well-thought out. For example, the fact that you can see up under Titus and essentially “cheat” by aiming as long as you understand that the tentacles eject in a star pattern sort of diminishes the thrill of it. But it is also something of a teachable moment, with the lesson being “don’t cheat even if you can”. Honor system rules work, and my kids are trained to look directly over Titus when they spin and activate him.

I also find myself wishing that the impact of the tentacles were a little greater. The air forces them out pretty quickly, but the force is pretty light. So the monkeys pirates usually just kind of shove off of their spaces and maybe fall over. I want to see them flying off the board, but I suppose that most folks don’t want to chase the pieces up under the table or across the floor.

But there I go applying adult logic to this fun, colorful and unique children’s’ game. For an adult audience, I think the game isn’t going to offer a whole lot outside of late night sessions where everyone wants something easy and effortless or easily understood and played after a few drinks. For children I think it’s practically a can’t-miss with a great mix of elements aimed square at their sensibilities. My kids have taken to playing it without me at the table, and that’s usually how I can tell which of our games are favorites.