Forks (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Forks is a card game designed by Radical 8 Games and released in in 2019. It is a fast-paced game that involves hand management, open drafting, and set collection mechanics. The game is suitable for 2 to 4 players, with a recommended age of 8 and up. Players compete to collect the most valuable sets of food items using their hand management skills.

Game Components of Forks

Cards: Representing different companies or travel locations, each card has a value ranging from 3 to 9 (or 3 to 12 in the 2nd edition).

Merge/Swap Rule Card: Introduces special rules that can be applied during a round.

Abilities Cards: Optional, providing each player with special powers (introduced in the 2nd edition).

Scenario Cards: Optional, affecting specific companies or locations (introduced in the 2nd edition).

Tokens or Coins: For tracking scores or marking players.

How To Setup Forks

Setup involves dealing three cards to each player. The main deck includes cards representing five different companies or locations (six if playing with five players). Each player draws three cards, retains one, and passes the other two to the next player. The player then chooses one card to keep and one to invest (play face down on the table).

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players draw three cards and choose one to ’embezzle’ (retain) and one to ‘invest’ (play publicly).

Set Collection: Cards played publicly contribute to the value of companies or locations.

Merge/Swap Rule: Special rules that allow players to invest cards from their hand or swap cards with those already on the table.

Objective: Make the most money by embezzling from the most profitable companies or locations. Companies or locations are evaluated at the end of each round, with the top three scoring positively and the rest negatively.

Player Experience

Forks offers a fast-paced and strategic gameplay experience. Players must balance embezzling high-value cards with ensuring sufficient investment in those companies to maintain their value. The game requires strategic thinking and adaptation based on the cards passed and the actions of other players. The addition of Merge/Swap rules and Abilities/Scenario cards in the 2nd edition adds more depth and variety to the game.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Rounds are short, lasting around 5-10 minutes.

Strategic Depth: Players must make tactical decisions about which cards to embezzle and invest.

Social Interaction: Players influence each other’s choices through passing cards.

Beautiful Artwork: Especially in the 2nd edition, featuring vibrant travel posters.

Portable: The game is compact and easy to take on the go.

Cons

Limited Player Count in Original: Only up to 5 players, though the 2nd edition supports up to 6 players.

Simple Rules but Complex Strategy: May require several plays to fully grasp the strategic nuances.

Luck Factor: Card drawing can introduce an element of luck that affects strategy.

Personal Thoughts on Forks

Forks is ideal for players who enjoy quick, strategic card games with a touch of social interaction. It is suitable for a wide range of players, from casual gamers looking for a filler game to more experienced players seeking a game that requires strategic thinking. The rethemed 2nd edition with travel locations adds a fresh and visually appealing twist, making it a great addition to any game collection.

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