We are not typically impressed with high-tech toys or toys with lots of flashing lights, sound chips producing buzzes and beeps. We find that often these enhancements are just a way to dress up boring toys to make them more salable. Even if a high-tech feature is kinda cool, once the novelty wears off you are still left with an uninteresting toy.
The Khet Egyptian themed laser powered strategy game is different. It has what is probably the epitome of high-tech gadgetry, real working laser beams! However, the lasers in this game are no gimmick. They are a crucial part of the game. In fact, this game would just not be the same without the laser beam action.
The Khet game is a strategy game. The basic point is to capture the Pharaoh of your opponent by hitting him with your laser beam. Two laser emitters, one for each player, are fixed firmly in the game board and the laser beam itself shoots in a single direction. To get the laser beam to hit your opponent's Pharaoh you have to re-direct the laser beam itself not the emitters.
So how do you move a beam of light? Simple kids, it's all done with mirrors, literally. Two of the four styles of game pieces have mirrored surfaces, and you must maneuver these pieces on the board in such a way as to alter the path of your laser beam so that it hits your opponents Pharaoh. Careful planning is necessary or you just might wipe out your own piece, yes even your own Pharaoh.
A game starts with all pieces on the board in one of three set-ups (advanced users can create their own set-ups). Players take turns moving a game piece either one square in any direction or by rotating a mirrored piece 90 degrees. Once a move is completed that player's laser must be fired. The laser beam may reflect off of the mirrored sides of several pieces before it eventually comes to rest. If the laser comes to rest on a non mirrored game piece (or non mirrored side of a piece) that piece is removed from play.
Game contains one game board (approx 17.5”x 14.5”) which houses two class II lasers, 2 Pharoahs, 4 Djed, 8 Obelisks, 14 Pyramids, four AAA batteries and game instructions.
Why is this product Super Cool?
Here is at least part of why we decided to rank the Khet Egyptian Themed Laser Powered Strategy Game as a Super Cool Toy.
Khet's Strategy Is Fun For Varied Skill Levels
This game can be played very competitively. In fact, Khet enthusiasts, groups and tournaments are now popping up all over. But don't let that scare you. While this fun and unique game does have the move planning challenges you find in chess it also has the simple and easy to learn piece moves of checkers. It is quick and easy to grasp how the Khet pieces move but challenging to master the strategy of the game. Because of this combination it is very flexible with regards to skill level.
The recommended age range is 9 to adult, but I tested the Khet laser game, in part, by playing it with my 7 year old nephew*. Initially, I thought it might be too complicated for him to enjoy but I was surprised at the flexibility of this game. Admittedly, he didn't fully grasp the complexity of the strategy, but amazingly we had a blast anyway. Just shooting a laser at pieces and seeing where it landed was enough to keep us entertained and after several games he started to get the hang of how the laser was going to move around the board and actually start playing with a strategy.
*Note: This game has been designed for safety and to keep the laser in the field when all pieces are securely fitted into their squares. For added safety we recommend supervising young kids during game play.
Khet is Educational
In addition to basic strategy concepts, this games provides real hands on experience in geometry and optics. Kids will learn some fairly complex math and science concepts without even realizing they are learning. All they know is they're having fun.
Khet Has a Great Egyptian Theme
The Egyptian theme adds an element of uniqueness and mystery to the game. Rather than little discs or the familiar kings and queens we get Pharaohs and pyramids, just a fun little twist.
It's a Laser!
The future is here. While Khet is first and foremost a strategy game and you probably could come up with a non laser version of this game, why would you? Not only is it much easier to let the laser and mirrors do the trajectory work for you, it's just super cool to have a game that works with real laser beams.
One important thing to note is that this is a real laser beam which means it is just a beam of light and can't be seen unless it hits something. You are not going to see a red line shoot across the board like some cartoon. However, you can get laser visibility if you cover the board with smoke or fog of some kind.
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