Seize the Bean (2021) Board Game

Seize the Bean is a board game released in 2021 by Quality Beast. Designed by Andy Couch and Dylan Howard Cromwell, the game combines elements of action/dexterity, card game, and economic strategy. Players take on the role of coffee shop owners in a competitive race to serve the best coffee in town.

Game Components of Seize the Bean

Private player boards

Worker tokens (two per player)

Card deck

Resource tokens

Modular board components

Various cards for drafting and set collection.

How To Setup Seize the Bean

To set up **Seize the Bean**, each player receives their own private board and two worker tokens. The modular board is assembled, and the card deck is shuffled and prepared for drafting. Players start with a basic deck and resources. The game’s setup is designed to be straightforward, allowing players to quickly dive into the gameplay.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players use their two worker tokens on their private boards to manage actions.

Deck Building: Players build their deck through card drafting.

Resource Management: Managing resources is crucial for executing actions.

Set Collection: Collecting specific sets of cards is key to advancing.

Engine Building: Building an efficient deck engine to optimize actions.

Modular Setup: Each game features a different setup due to modular components.

Objective: The goal is to collect and manage resources efficiently to build the best deck and achieve the most points.

Player Experience

Playing **Seize the Bean** offers a engaging and strategic experience. With its worker placement mechanics on private boards, there is no blocking, allowing each player to focus on their own strategy without interference. The game is praised for its tight gameplay and the need for careful resource management and deck building. Players enjoy the light-hearted theme and the challenging yet rewarding gameplay.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Offers a good balance of strategy and simplicity.

Private Boards: Eliminates blocking, making the game more fluid.

Modular Setup: Ensures high replayability.

Light-hearted Theme: Makes the game accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of players.

Cons

Resource Management: Can be quite brutal, which may not appeal to all players.

Learning Curve: While not complex, it still requires some time to understand all the mechanics.

Personal Thoughts on Seize the Bean

**Seize the Bean** is ideal for players who enjoy strategic deck builders with a light-hearted twist. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate games with high replayability due to the modular setup and the depth of deck building and resource management. While it may not be the best fit for players seeking extremely simple or cooperative games, it offers a rewarding experience for those who enjoy solo-focused strategic gameplay.

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