Doctor Rat (2023) Board Game

Doctor Rat is a deduction board game designed by Simon Douchy and published by Blue Orange (EU). It is set to be released in 2023 and is suitable for 2-7 players aged 10 and above. The game challenges players to use their deduction skills to uncover the identity of the mysterious Doctor Rat.

Game Components of Doctor Rat

129 cards: 60 Food cards, 56 Restriction cards (16 Diet cards, 6 Category cards, 34 Specification cards), 5 Complication cards, 6 Identity cards

2 Player aid cards

5 Special Action tokens: 1 Strict Menu token, 1 Medicine token, 3 Yuck tokens

1 Meal Counter board

1 Rat meeple

1 Trash Can token

1 box with a screen and insert

1 First Player token (used only in the COLLEAGUES variant)[5’.

How To Setup Doctor Rat

To set up the game, players start by organizing the various card types and tokens. The Food cards, Restriction cards, and Special Action tokens are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Each player receives an Identity card, which defines their role and abilities. The Meal Counter board is used to track the days and the progress of the rats’ diet. The game is set in a landfill where Doctor Rat operates from a medicine cabinet, guiding his fellow rats through an 8-day intensive training course to eat more healthily[5’.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperation: Players work together to achieve the game’s objective.

Problem solving: Players must figure out which foods are safe for the rats to consume.

Strategy: Utilizing medications, tokens, and other tools to guide the rats and avoid complications.

Objective: Teach the rats to eat healthily over an 8-day period, avoiding indigestion and other complications[5’.

Player Experience

In **Doctor Rat**, players embark on a cooperative journey where teamwork and strategic thinking are crucial. The game challenges players to balance the rats’ diet, making decisions based on the available Food cards and Restriction cards. Tools like medications and special tokens aid in managing mistakes and guiding the rats towards healthier choices. As players progress, the game becomes increasingly complex, requiring more adept decision-making and teamwork.

Pros

Cooperative gameplay: Encourages teamwork and collaboration among players.

Educational: Teaches strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Variable difficulty: The game becomes more challenging as players become more adept.

Engaging theme: The unique setting of a rat trying to improve his fellow rats’ diet adds a fun and quirky element[5’.

Cons

Complex rules: May require several rounds to fully understand and master the game mechanics.

Limited replayability: The game’s structure, although variable, might become repetitive after multiple plays.

Age and player count: While it can accommodate up to 7 players, the game is more suited for smaller groups and younger players[5’.

Personal Thoughts on Doctor Rat

**Doctor Rat** is an excellent choice for families or groups of friends looking for a light-hearted, cooperative game. It is particularly suitable for younger players who will enjoy the colorful illustrations and the quirky theme of rats learning to eat healthily. The game’s focus on teamwork and problem-solving makes it a great educational tool as well. However, for experienced gamers seeking complex strategies and high replayability, **Doctor Rat** might not offer the depth they are looking for[5’.

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