Progressive speed puzzling

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As an avid worshipper at the alter of Gigamic, my first reaction on opening the box was to dismiss this imitator. Produced by Family Games Inc. with a Canadian postal address, One Up retails at $32, which is pretty much the price point at which one can buy Gigamic games in India.

The game board uses the Gigamic style incredibly smooth wood, but slips up on the stubby and distinctly inelegant stands on the four corners, and rather excessive on-board branding. Place pieces are 16 metal spheres.
Mid-way into my first session, my jaundiced view disappeared completely. With the objective of getting your four colours into a row, the nuances of play are delightfully clever. You get to move all pieces on the board, including your opponents. At the end of each round, the counter moves up a position, and now you play an increasing number of uninterrupted moves in the same turn. The joy of multiple consecutive moves, dissolves when your opponent ruins your best laid plans a moment later. One Up is ramped-up progressive speed puzzling, devious strategy and thoroughly enjoyable experience.