Bears&Bees (2018) Board Game
Bears&Bees is a card game released in 2018 by Delta Vision Publishing. Designed by Viktor Skachkov, Anastasia Skachkova, and Yury Yamshchikov, this game is a fun and engaging party game for 2 to 5 players. With a runtime of 20 to 30 minutes, Bears&Bees is suitable for players aged 10 and above.
## Game Components of Bears&Bees
– 104 unique hexagonal cards, including honeycomb cards, Drone Bee cards, Worker Bee cards, Flower cards, and Bear cards.
– Queen Bee card with six honey-colored sides.
– Each card features varying patterns of colors, with some cards having special actions.
## How To Setup Bears&Bees
To set up the game, place the Queen Bee in the center of the table. Deal 9 cards to each player in a 2- or 3-player game, and 8 cards in a 4- or 5-player game. Draw the top card from the deck and place it adjacent to the Queen Bee to start the beehive. If the drawn card is a Special Card (Drone, Worker, Flower, or Bear), discard it and draw another card until a regular honeycomb card is drawn.
## Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
– **Objective:** Be the first player to eliminate all the cards from your hand.
– **Card Placement:** Play cards by matching at least two sides of the card with adjacent cards in the hive. Honey sides are wild and match any color.
– **Special Cards:**
– **Drone Bees:** Half honey and half one color, aiding in matching.
– **Worker Bees:** Force opponents to draw cards based on the number of matched sides.
– **Flowers:** Force all other players to draw cards based on the number of matched sides.
– **Bears:** Must touch honey, end the player’s turn, and block future card placements around them.
– **Bonus Plays:** Matching more than two sides earns additional plays (e.g., 3 sides matched = 1 bonus play, 4 sides = 2 bonus plays, etc.).
## Player Experience
The game is deceptively simple yet challenging, requiring strategic planning and spatial reasoning. Players must think ahead to maximize their chances of playing multiple cards and disrupting their opponents. The game’s visual appeal, with its colorful and uniquely illustrated cards, adds to the fun and competitive atmosphere. Analysis paralysis can occur, but the game’s rules suggest light-hearted ways to manage this, such as buzzing at players who take too long.
### Pros
– **Visual Appeal:** Beautifully illustrated cards create a kaleidoscope effect on the table.
– **Family-Friendly:** Suitable for all ages, promoting learning of colors and strategic planning.
– **Portable:** Compact game box makes it easy to take on the go.
– **Strategic Depth:** Simple to learn but challenging to master, with opportunities for complex strategies.
– **Interactive:** Special cards add a social element, allowing players to interact and disrupt each other’s plans.
### Cons
– **Analysis Paralysis:** Players might spend too much time deciding on their moves.
– **Bear Cards:** Often seen as dead weight, as they end the player’s turn and block future placements.
– **Luck Factor:** The draw of cards can significantly impact gameplay, sometimes leading to unfair advantages.
## Personal Thoughts on Bears&Bees
This game is perfect for family game nights, vacations, or as a filler game for heavier game sessions. It balances luck and strategy well, making it enjoyable for both young children and adults. The game fosters a competitive yet collaborative atmosphere, teaching strategic foresight and color matching skills. While it may not be the best fit for those seeking highly complex gameplay, it is an excellent choice for those looking for a fun, engaging, and visually appealing game.
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