💥 Potion Explosion — the joy of marbles

⭐ 2/10

Players: 2–4
Playtime: 30–45 min
Difficulty: Light (family logic game)
Game type: Family / Puzzle / Set Collection / Chain Reactions
Mechanics: pick & drop, chain reaction, set collection, resource management, pattern building

🎯 Goal of the game
Brew potions and earn victory points by carefully picking marbles from the dispenser. The better you plan your chain reactions, the faster you’ll fill your flasks and get ahead of your rivals.

🃏 How a turn works
Pick one marble from one of the five tracks inside the dispenser. If marbles of the same color collide — boom! — you trigger a chain reaction and collect them all. Use the marbles to fill your potion tiles. Once a potion is complete, drink it, activate its special power, and score points. Simple, flashy, satisfying — at least for the first few rounds.

🧩 Why I like it

• MARBLES! 😍 Honestly, that’s the main reason to own this game.

• The dispenser itself looks great — part gumball machine, part alchemist’s workshop.

• The rules are easy, and the first chain reactions feel genuinely rewarding.

• It’s perfect for families, kids, or anyone who enjoys something colorful, tactile, and instantly gratifying.

💀 Why it’s not perfect

• The hunt for the perfect move can actually become the game’s biggest flaw.

• If you play with someone who analyses every single marble like a lab scientist before a dissertation defense — good luck. 😅

• Turns can take forever, and you’ll have time to make tea before it’s your go again.

• Add a dose of randomness — sometimes the marbles align perfectly, sometimes you just get chaos — and the magic wears off after a few plays.

• The marbles stay gorgeous, but the thrill quietly evaporates.

🏆 How to win
💡 Look for big chain reactions — that’s where the points are.
🧪 Use potion effects wisely — some can completely turn a round in your favor.
😈 Block opponents when you can — a little negative interaction keeps things spicy.

✨🧀🍞 Cheesy Joke Corner

Potion Explosion is like seating guests at a family gathering. Some people just don’t mix well together, and suddenly it becomes a truly explosive combination 💥 For example: a mother + mother-in-law + any family member = BOOM XD
☕ Impressions
The marbles are amazing — I’ll never deny that. But the game itself? A bit shallow for my taste. After a few plays, I found myself watching the dispenser more than thinking about strategy. It’s great as a family or gateway game, but for me — too light, too random, too repetitive.

🎯 Final rating: 2/10
For the marbles. Because marbles deserve it. 😄

📜 Rulebook: Potion Explosion – 2nd Edition (PDF)