Onirim – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Onirim

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Board Game

78%

WISE Score

6.7

Board Game Geek

A dreamy solo card game where you race to escape a labyrinth before nightmares catch up—quick, portable, and surprisingly addictive.

Onirim

Board Game

78%

WISE Score

6.7

Board Game Geek

A dreamy solo card game where you race to escape a labyrinth before nightmares catch up—quick, portable, and surprisingly addictive.

4.4

6.7

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Where to Play

Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

Onirim is a solid little puzzle in a box—portable, quick, and genuinely clever for what it is. The dream labyrinth theme is more artsy than gimmicky, and the cooperative/solo structure makes it a great entry point for kids (or parents) who want board gaming without the stress of cutthroat competition.

That said, it's not going to blow anyone's mind. The base game is a bit thin, and while reviewers call it 'addicting,' that's partly because it's so quick you can squeeze in multiple plays. It's a filler game in the truest sense—great for 15 minutes of focused thinking, but not a centerpiece experience.

If your kid likes puzzles, card games, or solo challenges, this is a smart pick. If they need more action, interaction, or narrative, they'll probably shrug and move on. It's good, not great—but for the price and portability, it's a nice addition to the game shelf.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8–14 who enjoy puzzles and don't need flashy competition. Teens and adults might appreciate it as a quick solo filler, but it's not meaty enough to hold attention long-term without expansions.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A cooperative/solo game about navigating dreams with no conflict between players, just collaborative problem-solving against the game itself. The dream theme is gentle and abstract—no violence, just the concept of 'nightmares' as obstacles that trigger card discards. Perfect for quiet, focused play that doesn't create bad feelings between players.

Imaginative

The dreamscape labyrinth theme is evocative and unique—players are literally navigating through an abstract dream world, playing cards to unlock doors and escape. The Prophecy mechanic (reordering the deck) adds strategic creativity. However, it's fundamentally a set-collection puzzle rather than a truly open-ended creative experience. The abstract art and surreal concept invite imagination, but gameplay is more tactical than inventive.

Safe

Exceptionally safe. No mature themes beyond abstract 'nightmares' (which just mean discarding cards). No player conflict, no gambling mechanics, no concerning artwork. The cooperative/solo nature means no toxic social dynamics. Board games are inherently safe, and this one has zero red flags—it's cards, dreams, and puzzle-solving. The 'nightmare' concept is purely mechanical, not scary.

Enriching

Solid hand management, set collection, and probability reasoning. Players learn to balance risk (when to use key cards vs. save them), plan ahead with limited information, and manage resources under pressure. The 15-minute playtime keeps it from being too frustrating. However, it's a light puzzle game (1.65 complexity)—there's strategic thinking but not deep cognitive challenge. Great for developing pattern recognition and decision-making, but won't blow minds.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Perfect gateway to solo/cooperative board gaming—no reading opponents or competitive stress, just you vs. the puzzle
Fits in 15 minutes, so it's ideal for waiting rooms, quiet afternoons, or when your gaming buddy bails last-minute
The dream theme is genuinely evocative without being cutesy—abstract art and surreal doors feel more artistic than kiddie
Teaches probability and hand management without feeling like homework—you're constantly weighing 'do I play this now or save it?'
Expansions add variety if the base game gets stale (reviewers say it's 'addicting' and they've played it 10+ times)

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What to Watch For

Base game can feel a bit easy or repetitive after a few plays—expansions help, but you're buying more content to keep it fresh
It's fundamentally a solo game; the two-player version works but isn't as satisfying as true co-op games with more player interaction
The 'nightmare' cards are just mechanical penalties (discard your hand), not scary, but younger kids might need reassurance that it's abstract
Luck plays a role—sometimes the deck just doesn't cooperate, which can frustrate kids who want more control

Conversation Starters

"If you could design your own dream door, what would it look like? What world would it lead to?"
"When you drew that nightmare card, what was your backup plan? How did you decide what to discard?"
"Do you think it's better to play it safe and collect cards slowly, or take risks and hope the deck is kind?"

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