Let’s dive into Cogs in a Machine, this super cool dice game where you get to step into the boots of a gnome. Imagine you and your buddies (2-6 players) huddle around, rolling dice to snag parts for your wild inventions. It’s all about being quick and clever, with a game time of around 30 minutes and this awesome steampunk vibe surrounding it.

At the start of our first game, we were a bit puzzled, but we decided to dive in anyway. Once we got going, everything started to make perfect sense.

Each player picks a role, like being the Specialist, and trust me, it’s neat to see the unique stuff each role can pull off. When it’s your turn, you’ll roll a mix of 6 dice – 3 white, 2 black, and one special die that’s all about your gnome’s job. The dice decide what resources you’ve got on hand, and from there, you can either take a chance and re-roll or use what you’ve got to grab components. These components are the bread and butter of your machine, and you’ll need Gears or Teeth (yep, you heard that right) to get them. Below are examples of the different dice in the game.

Now, here’s where it gets spicy. Your opponents can “supervise,” which basically means they can throw a wrench in your plans, making it a fun challenge to secure those much-needed components. The game heats up as someone puts together their 5th component, signaling the start of the final showdown. Once the last round wraps up, everyone tallies their scores to see who’s the top gnome. The below photo is of one of the winning hands.

Honestly, Cogs in a Machine is a blast. After our first game, my friends and I were hooked and ready to dive back in. It’s the perfect mix of strategy, luck, and sabotage, all wrapped up in a quick, engaging package. Definitely worth checking out for a game night that’s a little different from the usual.