Strange Vending Machine (2018) Board Game

The Strange Vending Machine board game was released in 2018, designed by Kuo Li Chi and illustrated by Soso Studio. It falls under the category of Action / Dexterity and Card Game, providing a mix of push your luck, set collection, and simultaneous action selection mechanics. The game is suitable for 3-6 players, with a playing time of 20-30 minutes, making it a quick and engaging option for game nights.

Game Components of Strange Vending Machine

Vending machines

Food cards with various magical effects

Real and fake coins

Player tokens

Box lid for machine display

How To Setup Strange Vending Machine

To set up the game, players need to configure the vending machines differently depending on the game mode. For Muscle Man’s Purchase Challenge, each player receives one vending machine at random. For Ingredients and Recipes of the Mysterious Wizard, all six vending machines are set up on the box lid. Players are given a mix of real and fake coins, with specific distribution rules for each game mode. For example, in the Mysterious Wizard game, two coins are randomly placed in each vending machine.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Simultaneous Action Selection: Players perform actions simultaneously.

Resource Management: Managing real and fake coins.

Set Collection: Collecting different types and colors of food cards.

Variable Player Powers: Food cards have magical effects that provide different benefits.

Game Objective

The goal is to collect food cards from the vending machines to score points.

Score points for different types and colors of food, pairs of foods, and coins.

The player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

Players are immersed in a whimsical world where they interact with two characters: Muscle Man and the Mysterious Wizard. Each character offers a distinct game mode, adding variety to the gameplay. Players must strategically decide whether to buy food or take coins from the vending machines, while being cautious of fake coins that can penalize them. The game ends when a player collects their fifth food card or a vending machine runs out of food, followed by a final scoring phase.

Pros

Variety in Gameplay: Two different game modes offer diverse experiences.

Simple yet Strategic: Easy to learn but requires strategic thinking.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players of all ages.

Short Playtime: Games are typically quick, lasting around 15-30 minutes.

Cons

Luck Element: The random distribution of coins and food cards can introduce a significant luck factor.

Component Quality: Some players might find the vending machine components flimsy.

Limited Depth: The game is light and may not appeal to players seeking complex gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on Strange Vending Machine

Strange Vending Machine is ideal for families and casual gamers looking for a light, fun experience. It’s perfect for introducing children to board games due to its simple mechanics and colorful theme. However, players seeking deeper strategic games might find this too straightforward. Overall, it’s a great addition to any board game collection for those who enjoy quick, entertaining sessions.

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