Professor Boom^*

Professor Boom is a Reiner Knizia tile-laying game with a push-your-luck edge: pack your lab with dangerous experiments before it blows up. For 2 to 4 players aged 8 and up.

What's it about?

Professor Bertram K. Boom has set a special final exam. His students must fill their labs with as many dangerous experiments as possible without blowing them up. That's your job.

How to play

1. Draft an experiment tile from the central display.
2. Place it in your lab, following the rule for that type of experiment.
3. When space runs tight, use one of your four one-time powers.
4. If someone can't place a tile without breaking a rule, their lab explodes.

That ends the game. Most points wins.

What makes it tick

• Each experiment type has its own placement rules.
• The fuller your lab gets, the harder every turn becomes.
• The four special powers reward good timing.

At a glance

• Designer: Reiner Knizia; publisher: Game Factory
• 2 to 4 players, best with three
• 20 to 40 minutes, ages 8+

Conclusion

Professor Boom is classic Knizia: few rules, plenty of tricky choices. Families and casual groups get a short, tense tile-layer. If you want a long strategy game, look elsewhere.