Donut Shop (2024) Board Game

Donut Shop is a board game released in 2024, designed by James Churchill and Nick John Whittle. The game is published by 25th Century Games and falls under the category of Abstract Strategy. It is designed for 2-4 players, with a recommended age of 8 and above. The gameplay involves set collection and tile placement mechanics, with a runtime of 20-40 minutes.

Game Components of Donut Shop

Donut Tiles

Display Case

Order Cards

Donut boxes of various sizes

Donut holes (wild tiles)

Money tokens

Retro-style donut hats and Blue Plate Special mini-expansion (Deluxe Edition)

How To Setup Donut Shop

To set up Donut Shop, start by placing the cross-shaped initial tile of donuts in the middle of the table to form the display case. Each player begins with a set amount of money and possibly special orders or bonus tiles if using the expansions. Shuffle and deal the Order Cards and place the Donut Tiles within reach.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Add a Donut Tile to the Display Case: Place a tile orthogonally adjacent to existing tiles, ensuring edges align.

Score for Donut Placement: Earn 5 cents for each connected donut of the same type.

Box Donuts (Optional): Use donut boxes to fulfill customer orders from Order Cards.

Draw a New Donut Tile and Order Card: Choose either a face-up tile or card, replacing it with a face-down one of the other type.

Objective: The player who earns the most money by placing donuts and fulfilling orders wins.

Player Experience

Donut Shop is a game that appears simple but requires strategic and tactical thinking. Players must balance short-term and long-term decisions, such as where to place donuts to maximize scoring and how to fulfill orders efficiently. The game can have unintended player conflict, as opponents’ moves can disrupt your plans. However, the theme and components, including retro-style graphics and deluxe elements like donut hats, enhance the overall experience.

Pros

Strategic and Tactical Choices: Offers both short-term and long-term decision-making.

Accessible Theme: Who doesn’t love donuts? The theme is engaging and easy to understand.

Quick Turns: Gameplay is snappy, keeping the game moving.

Good Component Quality: Sturdy cardboard tiles and thematic components.

Cons

Scoring Can Be Time-Consuming: Calculating scores each turn can slow the game down.

Game Slows Down Towards the End: As resources dwindle, gameplay can become slower.

Intended for Families but Requires Long-Term Thinking: Children might struggle with the strategic aspects.

Personal Thoughts on Donut Shop

Donut Shop is a delightful game that is perfect for families and casual gamers who enjoy strategic tile placement. While it may appeal to younger players due to its theme, it also challenges adults with its depth of strategy. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking for a game that is easy to learn but offers plenty of depth and engagement. However, it might not be the best fit for very young children who struggle with long-term planning.

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