Bears! (2011) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Bears! is a board game released in 2011 by designer Justin De Witt and Fireside Games. It is a dice rolling party game that is suitable for 2-4 players, with a runtime of around 20 minutes. The game is recommended for ages 7 and up and falls under the categories of Dice, Party Game, and Real-time gameplay, with mechanics such as dice rolling and pattern recognition.

Game Components of Bears!

Rulebook

20 black player dice

20 white camp dice

Score sheets (small and large).

How To Setup Bears!

To set up the game, one player rolls the white camp dice, which determine the bears and tents that appear in the campsite. Each player then rolls their black player dice. The objective is to match the player dice with the camp dice to take appropriate actions against the bears or tents. If the round begins with all bears or all tents, the camp dice are rerolled.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Dice Rolling: Players roll dice to interact with the campsite.

Pattern Building: Players match their dice to the camp dice to perform actions.

Objective

Score points by:
– Shooting bears (1 point)
– Running and hiding from bears (2 points)
– Sleeping through the attack (5 points, but risks losing 2 points if bears are left at the end of the round).

Player Experience

In **Bears**, players experience a frantic and strategic scramble to manage their dice rolls effectively. The game is simple to learn but requires strategic thinking to maximize scores. The fast-paced nature makes it engaging and competitive, especially with more players involved.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

Strategic Depth: Requires thoughtful planning to optimize scores.

High Replayability: Different dice rolls ensure varied gameplay each time.

Multiplayer Friendly: Supports up to 8 players, making it a great party game.

Cons

Luck-Dependent: Dice rolls introduce an element of chance, which may not appeal to everyone.

Limited Complexity: Some players may find the game too simple or repetitive.

Personal Thoughts on Bears!

**Bears** is ideal for families and casual gamers who enjoy quick, fun games with a touch of strategy. It’s perfect for those looking for a light-hearted, competitive experience that doesn’t require a significant time commitment. However, players seeking complex, deeply strategic games might find **Bears** too simplistic.

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