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Dinos Not Assembled (2021) Board Game

ByMichail

Dinos Not Assembled is a children’s board game released in 2021, designed by Jeff Willis and illustrated by Thing 12 Games. The game is all about collecting different dinosaur parts to assemble your own dinosaur. It is a fun and educational game for kids aged 8 and above.

Game Components of Dinos Not Assembled

  • Main Museum Board** and **Dig Site Board**
  • Dino Cards** each requiring 3 specific bone tiles
  • Bone Tiles** stored in a “Dirt Sack”
  • Dino Meeples** for each completed dinosaur
  • Character Boards** for each player
  • Security Meeple** to protect against stealing
  • Velociraptor talon** (starting token)
  • Optional: Kickstarter Limited Exclusive mini-expansion including new dinos, tiles, and a coloring book.

    How To Setup Dinos Not Assembled

    To set up the game, place the Main Museum Board and Dig Site Board in the middle of the table. Shuffle the Dino Cards and deal two to each player. Each player chooses their Character Board and a section of the museum. Shuffle the Bone Tiles into the Dirt Sack, draw four tiles, and display them on the Dig Site Board. Place the Dino Meeples nearby. The first player receives the velociraptor talon to start the game.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Dig: Select two Bone Tiles from the Dig Site Board.
  • Steal: Take one Bone Tile from another player; the stolen tile is flipped to its “red hand” side to prevent further stealing.
  • Clear: Remove all tiles from the Dig Site Board and draw new ones.
  • Make: Build a dinosaur using the required Bone Tiles and place the Dino Meeple in the museum.
  • Plan: Draw a new Dino Card from the deck.
  • Objective: Be the first player to build three complete dinosaur skeletons in their museum exhibit.

    Player Experience

    Players take on the roles of paleontologists competing to complete dinosaur exhibits. The game is engaging for families and younger players, with a balance of strategy and light-hearted interaction. The stealing mechanic adds a fun element of competition, while the limited storage space for Bone Tiles introduces a resource management challenge. The game is praised for its colorful dinosaur meeples and the joy of matching bones to their respective dinosaurs.

    Pros

  • Family-friendly: Suitable for players as young as 7 or 8.
  • Easy to learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.
  • Interactive: Stealing mechanic adds a fun competitive element.
  • Resource management: Players must manage their Bone Tiles carefully.
  • Dinosaur theme: Appeals to dinosaur enthusiasts, especially children.

    Cons

  • Game length: May feel a bit long for younger children, lasting 20-45 minutes.
  • Limited complexity: May not offer enough depth for adult gamers seeking more complex games.

    Personal Thoughts on Dinos Not Assembled

    **Dinos Not Assembled** is an excellent choice for families with multi-aged kids, especially those who love dinosaurs. It is a great gateway game for younger players, teaching them basic set collection and resource management skills. While it might not be the best fit for adult game nights seeking more complexity, it is a delightful addition to any family game collection. The game’s simplicity and theme make it a perfect gift for families looking for a fun, easy-to-learn game.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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