Mandala Mind: The Card Game is a puzzly cooperative mindfulness-themed game for 1 to 2 players that takes about 20 to 30 minutes to play.
In Mandala Mind, you play as the frame of mind of a person who is meditating on an image of a mandala. This person is distracted at the beginning of their meditation, and your goal is to help them focus. Once focus has been achieved, you will have succeeded in bringing them into the joy of the present moment!
Gameplay
Mandala Mind is played over a series of rounds, where you will interact with a 3 x 3 grid of mandala cards representing a person’s consciousness. You will help this person focus by removing distraction using frame of mind actions and mandala abilities.
Before each game, you will choose a scenario inspired by a type of meditation. Each scenario has two phases that have different goals for you to complete. You win the game by achieving optimal focus at scenario-specific mandala cards in the warm-up phase and by removing all distraction from every mandala in the meditation phase.
Key Features
- Play as the following frames of mind: Compassion, Peace, Joy, and Understanding
- Strategically use frame of mind actions to navigate a grid of mandala cards and remove distraction
- Combo mandala abilities together to maximize your turns
- Each game has a variable setup
- Experience 5 unique scenarios in addition to a scenario randomizer
- Designed to provide a feeling of agency with very little luck
- Illustrated with a minimalistic watercolor style to encourage a calming experience
- Puzzle out each game on your own or with a partner
Specifications
- Player count: 1 – 2 players
- Game length: 20 to 30 minutes
- Setup time: 1 minute
- Ages: 14+
Preview from Love 2 Hate Board Game Reviews
“I think it is a fantastic little brain burner that is deceptively challenging, and you can ramp up the complexity too.” – Lance from Love 2 Hate Board Game Reviews
Please note there have been some minor changes to the game design and components since this preview.
Playthrough by Dads & Dice
“I think this one is great to come home after work, sit down, and release your distractions. It’s kind of perfect for that. It’s a really puzzly game.” – Paul from Dads & Dice
Please note there have been some minor changes to the game design and components since this playthrough.
Inside the Box
Every copy of Mandala Mind: The Card Game includes:
- 9 mandala cards
- 4 frame of mind cards
- 1 frame of mind pawn
- 1 source of distraction card
- 8 event cards
- 6 scenario cards
- 2 reference cards
- 1 rules document
*The game box and all of the cards have a UV coating and linen finish.
Photo Gallery
Previewer Quotes
“It has gorgeous illustrations and is so puzzly! And because it’s a game about finding mindfulness and serenity, I can’t help but get into that mindset when I play.” – Chris from Magic and Meeples
“It’s quick – it’s a 30 minute game. I really like the mechanics of turning the cards […] it’s a pretty easy game to understand with a hard end goal.” – Sam from Love 2 Hate Board Game Reviews
“I personally enjoy playing with oversized cards and all components are nice quality. […] Packaging is compact and I think it would travel well for a game on the go!” – Shelby and Joe from Board Games for Two
“This is a game I can definitely see myself putting on my coffee table, sitting on the couch, playing some lo-fi music, and just figuring out the puzzle. […] I can see myself getting lost in the puzzle of figuring out how to optimize the moves.” – Devin from Dads & Dice
How to Purchase
Mandala Mind: The Card Game is currently available at The Game Crafter, a print-on-demand game manufacturer. Use this link to purchase a copy.
Credits
Game design: Alex Beers
Art and graphic design: Saskia de Klerk
Thank you to all of the playtesters: Ivan Alexiev, Alvin Beers, Brenda Beers, Laura Gilbert, M. Gilbert, Saskia de Klerk, Jennifer May, Chace Orton, Phil Shambaugh, Nadamayi Shanti, Dimitar Velichkov
Questions?
Leave a comment below or send an email to contact@greengourdgames.com