Unlock! Kids: Irish Folklore Trilogy
Unlock! Kids: Irish Folklore Trilogy Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Goal of the Game
Unlock! Kids is a cooperative game. Together, you will explore one of the game's three tales. Each tale allows you to choose from two adventures. Then work together to overcome the trials of your chosen adventure.
There is no time limit. Take a close look at ALL of the components available to you! Some may hold hidden surprises...
Reader Needed?
To discover the Unlock! Kids rules, children will need to complete the Tutorial with someone who knows how to read. Afterward, they will need assistance only with the texts on the adventures' Starting Items, final cards, and the Hints/Step-by-Step Solutions booklet. In other words, kids can play without reading as long as someone who can read is nearby for the beginning and end of the adventure.
Contents and Setup
Important: Before playing, make sure you have all the components. To do so, check the numbers on the lower right side of each component's back.
First, choose an adventure (among those found under the cardboard storage), then take one of its Starting Items (A, B, C, D, E or F) and the deck of cards. Also, take the corresponding Item tokens and place them facedown on the table.
!! IMPORTANT !! Do not look at ANY of the components (cards or Item tokens) until prompted.
Setup Example
Here is how your table will look once you've set up the game.
Check your special starting component. (Setup example labels show the starting component being checked and a DISCARD pile.)
You can place the cards and Items FACEDOWN on the table.
Adventures
Each adventure is given a letter (A to F) matching one of its Starting Items. Difficulty is shown on each tale's page with key icons.
Song of the Sea: This adventure tells the story of Ben and Saoirse. They live in a lighthouse with their father, but one day, magic enters their lives and takes them on incredible adventures.
- Adventure A: In Pursuit of Macha
- Adventure B: The Selkie's Powers
- Components shown: cards x81, Starting Item/Item tokens x3, Item-supply pieces x11.
Wolfwalkers: Robyn and Mebh are two young girls who are complete opposites. Robyn lives in the city and dreams of hunting wolves, while Mebh lives in the forest and is a Wolfwalker (while sleeping, she becomes a wolf). However, maybe there's a chance they could become friends.
- Adventure C: Robyn, the young city girl
- Adventure D: Mebh, the Wolfwalker
- Components shown: cards x67, Starting Item/Item tokens x2, Item-supply pieces x25.
The Secret of Kells: Brendan is a young monk living in Kells, a small community threatened by Vikings. After meeting Brother Aidan, a master in the art of illumination who illustrates books by hand, his life is forever changed.
- Adventure E: The Eye of Colm Cille
- Adventure F: The Viking Attack
- Components shown: cards x64, Item-supply pieces x23.
Maina's Recommendation: If you stack the cards in groups of 10, you will be able to find cards more quickly!
Golden Rule
As soon as you see a number on a card, you can look at the matching component.
First and foremost, Unlock! Kids is an observation game. Always start by looking at the components you reveal. As soon as you see a number, you can take and look at the matching card or Item. Sometimes, there are also hidden numbers on the cards.
Example: In this cabin, looking closely at the backpack, you can see the hidden number 7. So, immediately take card 7. Hidden numbers are bonuses that will boost your score at the end of the adventure.
Types of Components
The shape around the number indicates the type of component:
- The cards are symbolized by a rectangle (e.g. 11).
- The Item tokens and Starting Items are symbolised by a diamond (e.g. 8).
- A square with 2 numbers means that these cards must be placed side by side: 2 + 3 = 2 3.
- The inside of the box is symbolized by a box icon.
When you see a number without a shape, it means you must look for the component. It is either a card OR an Item token.
Example: At the beginning of the Tutorial, you must immediately take Item 8 and cards 11, 2, and 3 and look at them. Cards 2 and 3 are placed side by side, forming a scene you must closely examine to continue your adventure.
Discarding Components
On some cards, you will find one or more crossed-out components. The X symbol indicates that you can immediately return these components to the box (they will no longer be needed). This is a good sign! It means you're making progress on your adventure.
Combining Symbols
Once you have revealed all the components in a scene, you must solve a puzzle.
To do so, combine two half-symbols to create a whole symbol. These two half-symbols can be depicted on cards and/or components.
But beware! Creating a whole symbol always triggers an effect: you will either progress on your adventure or fall into a trap!
Example: You can combine the key with the wardrobe padlock or the window handle. Either way, an effect will be triggered.
Once you have created a whole symbol, refer to the Symbol Table (found on each Starting Item). Find that symbol in the Table, and take the card or Item with the corresponding number.
Example: In this Tutorial, you can choose between numbers 5 and 9, depending on how you wish to use the key. It can be combined with two different half-symbols, thereby creating one of two different whole symbols.
Errors
Some choices can lead to Error cards. In this Tutorial, combining the key with the window is worthless. Most errors have no serious consequences. But keep in mind that some Error cards can cause you to lose stars at the end of the adventure.
Example card text: "This is a Penalty card. Some Error cards, like this one, cause you to lose stars at the end of the adventure. So, be careful when making choices."
Choices
The ? symbol indicates that you must make a choice by using the ? Item. Think it through: whenever there's a correct solution, there's also a trap. If you look closely at all the components before you, you can always find the hints you need to make the right choice.
Are You Stuck?
You've looked everywhere and don't know what to do next? If you're stuck, you can turn to the Hints booklet! Cocow will be more than happy to assist you. Read the hint matching the number of the card you want help with.
And if that hint isn't enough, head to our website to check the Step-by-Step Solutions booklet! Cocow will give you the solution to that puzzle!
End of Game
The trophy symbol indicates that you have reached the end of the adventure. Congratulations! To find out your score, count all the stars you have gained, and don't forget to subtract the stars you lost because of Error cards.
The Final card tells you the highest possible score you can achieve on your adventure. IMPORTANT: Don't look at the remaining facedown cards even if the game is over! They may be holding surprises for you to find on another adventure.
What Now?
After completing an adventure, you can pick a new story by taking another Starting Item, the corresponding deck of cards, and Item tokens. But you also have the option to revisit places in a brand-new light! To that end, choose the second Starting Item, flip all the revealed cards and Item tokens facedown, and begin a new adventure that will challenge everything you thought you knew.