Uzo

UZO is a board game of logic and tactics for one player against the computer. You manoeuvre your ring from one side of the board to the other; the first player to do so wins. Games last from two to twenty minutes, and the simple rules allow for tactical play using individual snakes and ladders to influence the board.

The board and tactics

The board’s central grid has 25 tiles, leaving little room for slack. Depending on the setup and your skill, a winning position can be possible within five moves. The board can change quickly, so a single mistake may turn a lead into a loss. A strong opening move, called a serve, is important, and repetitive play can lead to an impasse or draw.

Learning and matches

UZO has a steep but short learning curve. You can learn by watching the computer play and following the in-game messages. The full rules are available in-game, as is a history board showing the last 14 moves at any point. The game notifies you when play becomes repetitive and advises you to change tactics.

Individual wins are recorded on a Tug-O-War scoreboard, and the player who wins the Tug-O-War wins the match. Your skill is measured after each game with green stars and as a continuous match average with gold stars. Sessions are open-ended, so you can play any number of matches at your convenience; game performance is shown only for the duration of a session.