Coding Board Game: On The Brink

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On the Brink is a fascinating and mind challenging game.  It is the first in the series of 3 so this is my first expereince with //CODE programing games. At fist I opened up the box and saw how minimal it was compared to what I originally expected. After starting to read the first 3 paragraphs in the book and being referred to a video on the Web decided to give it a try.  This was both good and bad. The video was good to help me understand how the boards worked and how to lay out the cards but it was bad because it looked easy and I wanted to give it a try. The video showed how to do challenge #1 which made sense mostly so I decided to go ahead to challenge #24 which is the first of the advanced challenges. I was now confused how to get my robot to move the way I wanted it to so back to the book I went. After reading though the instruction manual it all made sense…imagine that.

The instruction booklet is invaluable and laid out well. ALL the parts that were confusing me before reading it is included and I had NO QUESTIONS after reading it. Things like-the program consists of both cards on the colored panel, or you have not won unless you complete the programed movement and landed on the finish square or you only start a new programed move AFTER the robot has stopped movement on the square THEN that square tells you which program to use next.

This will be fun for both me and my kids to try out all the challenges. The concept is very basic but stretches your mind as you progress though the challenges. I love that programing is being taught through a game that is not on the computer. Although it is good for kids to know how to use a computer they also need to know problem solving skills both independently but also as a team if they are working on this with others. It creates an atmosphere where they will have to discuss what they think the right movements are and explain themselves in a way that others can understand.

5 out of 5 stars.

Note: I received this product for free or at a significant discount in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. This review is entirely based on my honest assessment and opinion after using the product and not influenced in any way by receiving a discount. All opinions are my own.



Here is some information from Amazon.com if you are interesting in this product.

Coding Board Game: Rover Control

ThinkFun, Inc. Price: $ 14.99

Image provided by Amazon.com