The teetering wobbling shifting tipping unbalanced balance game!
Let’s switch it up this week and write about a not-so-board game; Suspend! There is a whole market for dexterity-based games that often are targeted at children, but can be fun for adults too. Let’s just say my grandmother always beat my family in this game, and it was such a delight to play a game like this with her. There is no strategy from the outside, but believe me, there is.
Suspend is a metal piece balancing game where players place different length rods onto the main hanger, trying to balance all of them and keep any from crashing to the table. By rolling a colored die, the odds determine which rod must be placed next. However, there are some rules you have to follow which prevent the game from being “too easy.”
Mechanics & Categories: Family, Party, Dexterity, Dice Rolling
FUNKY METAL COMPONENTS
Not only is there an engraved die with six different colored faces, but there are also six colored sets of four metal, wavy, curly rods. From about 3” to 12”, each rod has different plastic-coated colored tips to distinguish them from one another. Though the die is not color-accessible-friendly, the different lengths and a friend can hopefully assist. Each player takes one of each color to play the game. Once a player has placed all their rods, they win!
LOW COMPLEXITY
Any age could play this game. You just need to be able to identify colors and place a rod on a hanger. It can be tricky to do and balance at times, but this game has no deep thinking. Some players will try to find the cruelest of spots to balance one of the rods, but most people just want to play safely. The only rules are that you must use one hand, and you also cannot place a piece on top of the plastic covering on another.
TRAVEL-FRIENDLY
The whole game fits in a tube about the size of a large water bottle. Since Suspend creates a suspending structure, you don’t need much table space to play. If everyone can reach the structure, they can hold their metal pieces in one hand and play with the other. I often bring this game to events, as non-gamers will also enjoy it. The only thing to be mindful of is the loud crashing noise; otherwise, this game is super easy to play almost anywhere.
DECEPTIVELY STRATEGIC
There are two to seven little notches in each rod which makes placing them tricky. Odd numbers have a nice middle notch for balance, while the rod with two is quite difficult to place! Of course, you can intentionally place a rod on one of the outermost notches to make the other player’s turns more difficult!
It is easy to play if everyone places their rods in the most balanced position possible, but the game is much more fun to play if you try to squeeze a rod in between some others or place them in nerve-wracking balancing positions. Aside from the rule of using only one hand, you can always make house rules to make it easier for kids or more challenging for adults, like using your weak hand.
Final Comments
This is not the most mentally stimulating game ever; it’s meant for children. But do I enjoy it occasionally? Very much, yes. Suspend is the perfect outdoor barbeque game, as you won’t care when the metal pieces come crashing down (unless you have an outdoor glass table, which I don’t recommend for this game). Anyone can play and will be curious at the structure that inevitably will come crashing down. The suspense for any onlooker is unbearable!
Supervised toddlers will have a blast playing with colorful pieces even if they don’t quite know how to play, which is a great way to get them interacting with a group of people (or just kids). But this game is also great for our elderly, who might not have the mental capacity for some games anymore but can still keep their mind alert with dexterity. I have the fondest memories of playing with my Gramm, which will keep this game near and dear to my heart.
Similar To: Kerplunk, Jenga, Pick-up Sticks, Penguin Pile-Up
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Publisher: Melissa and Doug
Game(s) Pictured: Suspend
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