Fat Fish (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Fat Fish is a card game designed by Wolfgang Kramer, Bernhard Lach, and Uwe Rapp. It was published by GaGa Games in in 2018. The game revolves around players collecting and trading fish cards to create the fattest fish possible. The game is suitable for 2 to 6 players and has a runtime of approximately 20 minutes.

Game Components of Fat Fish

Number of Players: 2-6

Playing Time: 20 minutes

Age Range: 8 and above

Cards: Each player has a personal deck of 12 cards, plus a common deck for drawing and fishing lines

Artists: Sabine Kondirolli and Fiore GmbH

Category: Animals, Card Game

Mechanics: Pattern Building

How To Setup Fat Fish

To set up Fat Fish, each player is dealt a small deck of 12 cards, from which they draw four cards to form their starting hand. Three cards are flipped over to create the initial three fishing lines. A smaller deck, dependent on the number of players, is set aside to replenish the fishing lines as the game progresses.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Drawing and Playing Cards: Players draw two cards at the start of their turn and can play one to four cards from their hand into a single fishing line.

Matching Colors: Cards must be played in matching color sequences or can be played at the start of a new line if no matching color is available.

Scoring Lines: When a line has five cards, it is scored. Players take the fish (cards) of each color in the line as positive points and any remaining cards as negative points.

Fishing License: A player who collects a certain value of cards earns a fishing license worth 10 victory points, which can change hands during the game.

Fewest Cards: The player with the fewest cards in their positive pile at the end of the game earns 10 additional victory points.

Penalty Card: A mistake during the game results in a penalty card worth -5 victory points.

Player Experience

Fat Fish is a game that thrives on simplicity and strategic card placement. Players enjoy the quick pacing and the challenge of building optimal fishing lines while avoiding the negative-scoring bony fish. The game is perfect for those who appreciate pattern-building mechanics and a light, family-friendly experience.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to a wide range of players.

Quick Games: Games are short and can be completed within 20 minutes.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Interactive: Encourages strategic thinking and planning.

Cons

Limited Depth: Some players may find the game too light or lacking in complexity.

Luck Element: Card draws can significantly influence the game’s outcome.

Penalty Mechanism: The penalty card for mistakes can be seen as harsh by some players.

Personal Thoughts on Fat Fish

Fat Fish is ideal for those who enjoy light-hearted, quick card games that are easy to pick up. It’s a great addition to any game collection, especially for families or casual gamers looking for a fun, interactive experience without the burden of complex rules. However, players seeking deeper strategic games might find Fat Fish a bit too simplistic. Nonetheless, its charm and simplicity make it a delightful addition to any game night.

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