Sheepy Time (2021) Board Game

Sheepy Time is a board game released in 2021 by Alderac Entertainment Group. Designed by Neil Kimball and featuring artwork by Zoé Plane, this game is set in a whimsical world of sheep where players take on the role of shepherds trying to guide their sheep to safety.

Game Components of Sheepy Time

1 Game Board

1 Fence Token

1 Scoreboard

1 First Sheep Token

4 Sheep Tokens

4 Wink Tokens

4 Pillow Tokens

40 Zzz Tokens

1 Nightmare Token

1 Web Token

30 Dream Tiles

50 Sheep Cards

30 Nightmare Cards

3 Nightmare Reference Cards

2 Pillow Reference Tiles

1 Rulebook.

How To Setup Sheepy Time

To set up Sheepy Time, place the game board in the middle of the playing area and position the fence token along the gap on the board. Each player chooses a sheep token and places it at the starting position. Each player also receives two sheep cards to form their starting hand. The nightmare cards are shuffled into the sheep card deck. The dream tiles are placed around the circumference of the board, and each player gets ten Zzz tokens to subscribe to special abilities on these tiles. The scoreboard is set up with each player’s pillow token at the 40-space mark.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Category: Push-your-luck, area movement, racing game

Mechanics: Card play, area movement, racing, and special abilities

Objective: Players take on the role of Dream Sheep, aiming to jump the fence as many times as possible to help everyone fall asleep while avoiding Nightmares that could wake them up.

Gameplay:
– Players play one card from their hand each turn to move their sheep token around the circular board.
– Jumping the fence earns players winks (points) and helps them move their pillow token towards the goal.
– Drawing a Nightmare card forces immediate resolution, potentially scaring the sheep and disrupting progress.
– Using Zzz tokens on Dream Tiles activates special abilities.
– The game ends when a player’s pillow token reaches or surpasses their starting position on the scoreboard.

Player Experience

Sheepy Time offers a unique and engaging experience with its blend of push-your-luck mechanics and area movement. The game’s theme, where players must avoid nightmares to help people fall asleep, is both quirky and appealing. The artwork is soothing and cartoony, making it family-friendly. The gameplay is quick, with rounds lasting about 45 minutes, and the rules are easy to learn, although they may take a round or two to fully grasp.

Pros

Unique Theme: The game’s concept of counting sheep to fall asleep is novel and engaging.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 10 and above, with appealing artwork and easy-to-understand mechanics.

Quick Gameplay: Rounds are relatively short, lasting about 45 minutes.

Strategic Depth: The game requires strategic decision-making to balance risk and reward.

Variety: Multiple Nightmares and Dream Tiles offer different challenges and opportunities.

Cons

Luck Dependency: The game’s push-your-luck mechanic can be frustrating if luck does not favor the player.

Simple Setup but Complex Rules: While setting up is straightforward, understanding the scoring mechanism and dream tile abilities may take time.

Nightmare Unpredictability: The Nightmare cards can significantly disrupt player progress, which might be seen as unfair by some players.

Personal Thoughts on Sheepy Time

Sheepy Time is an excellent choice for families and casual gamers looking for a game that combines fun, strategy, and a touch of luck. It’s particularly appealing to those who enjoy push-your-luck games and are looking for something that is both easy to learn and engaging to play. The game’s unique theme and beautiful artwork make it a standout addition to any board game collection. However, it may not be the best fit for serious gamers seeking complex, long-form strategies.

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