Pack of Flies (2003) Board Game

Pack of Flies is a board game designed by Philippe des Pallières and published by 999 Games in in 2003. It falls under the category of Animals and Bluffing, with a focus on betting and bluffing mechanisms. The game is suitable for players aged 8 and above, accommodating 2 to 5 players with a runtime of around 20 minutes.

Game Components of Pack of Flies

5 plastic flies per player (up to 5 players)

A deck of 12 cards

A blue plastic fly named Muriel

A reserve pile for flies

How To Setup Pack of Flies

To set up the game, each player receives five plastic flies, which they secretly hide in their left hand. The remainder of the flies are placed aside. A pile of twelve cards is shuffled and placed face down on the table. The blue fly, Muriel, is placed on top of the box. The lightest player goes first.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Bidding Mechanic: Players bid by secretly choosing a number of flies to hold in their closed right fist.

Guessing Mechanic: Players guess the total sum of flies held by all players.

Card Effects: Each card has different effects such as rewarding points for tasty areas, imposing penalties for hazards, or granting additional flies.

Objective: The goal is to win cards by guessing the closest total sum of flies. Points are awarded based on the cards won, and additional points are given for the remaining flies at the end of the game.

Special Cards:

Tasty Areas: Worth 1 to 4 points.

Hazards: Worth -1 to -3 points.

Baby Flies: Awards flies to the winner and subsequent bidders.

Fly Spray: Allows a player to eliminate an opponent’s flies before the total is calculated.

Muriel, the Amazing Trained Fly: Allows a player to change their bid after the total is revealed.

Player Experience

Playing Pack of Flies can be a mixed bag. The game’s strategy is not immediately intuitive, leading some players to struggle with bidding and guessing. As players hoard flies to gain points at the end, the total sum of flies can often be very low, making guessing challenging. The game also has a short playing time of about 20 minutes.

Pros

Unique Theme: The game’s theme of bidding with flies is certainly unusual and can be amusing.

Simple to Learn: The basic rules are easy to grasp, although mastering the strategy takes time.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and above, making it a fun family game.

Short Game Sessions: Games are relatively short, lasting about 20 minutes.

Cons

Limited Cards: The game includes only 12 cards, which can lead to repetitive gameplay and make the winner obvious early on.

Kingmaking: Players can find themselves in a kingmaker position, especially when winning negative cards, which can be frustrating.

Strategy Complexity: The bidding and guessing mechanics can be confusing for some players, leading to frustration and a higher learning curve.

Personal Thoughts on Pack of Flies

Pack of Flies is ideal for families or casual gamers looking for a light, quirky game. However, it may not appeal to serious gamers due to its simplicity and potential for repetitive gameplay. The game’s unique theme and mechanics can make it an enjoyable addition to a game collection, but it is important to be aware of its limitations. If you enjoy bidding games with a twist, Pack of Flies might just fly its way into your heart.

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