Hens (2023) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Hens is a board game released in 2023 by Little Rocket Games. Designed by Giampaolo Razzino and featuring artwork by Marco Salogni, Hens falls into the categories of Abstract Strategy, Animals, and Card Game. With a playtime of 15-20 minutes and recommended for ages 10 and up, Hens offers a fun and engaging gaming experience for 1-4 players.

Game Components of Hens

Cards: Representing different breeds of hens, each with a colored border and a number value.

Rooster Tokens: Used for predicting the second largest group of hens.

Goal Cards: Define end-game scoring objectives.

Discard Piles: One for each player.

Scorepad and Reference Cards: For tracking and clarifying scoring.

Box and Player Aids: For organizing and understanding the game components.

How To Setup Hens

To set up Hens, start by shuffling the deck and removing some cards if playing with two or three players. Each player is dealt four cards and a rooster token. The remaining cards are placed in a central draw deck, with space for each player’s discard pile. A goal card is randomly selected for end-game scoring.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Placement: Players draw two cards, play one to their barnyard, and discard another. Cards of the same breed can be placed next to each other, but different breeds must be in sequential order based on their number values.

Drawing Cards: Players can draw from the deck or any discard pile except their own.

Rooster Token: Halfway through the game, players place their rooster token on a card to predict the second largest breed group.

Scoring: Points are scored from the largest group of hens, additional points if the rooster prediction is correct, and medals on cards. Coops (flipped cards) deduct points.

Objective: The goal is to create a 3×4 or 4×3 barnyard and maximize points by strategic card placement and rooster prediction.

Player Experience

Hens offers a delightful and thinky puzzle experience. The restrictive card placement adds a layer of strategy, similar to games like Sagrada. Players must make agonizing decisions about which cards to discard and where to draw from, balancing the need to build their own barnyard without helping their opponents. The game is quick, with a playtime of about 25 minutes, and features clear, concise rules and attractive artwork.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules that are quick to understand.

Strategic Depth: Requires thoughtful decisions about card placement and rooster prediction.

Visual Variety: Different breeds of hens add visual appeal.

Quick Playtime: Games are short, lasting about 25 minutes.

Included Solo Mode: Offers a fun solo experience with similar mechanics.

Cons

Luck Factor: Card draw can significantly impact gameplay.

Limited Mitigation of Bad Draws: No way to avoid cards that cannot be placed.

High Scores Often Due to Luck: Success can be more about luck than strategy.

Easy to Forget Rooster Placement: Players might overlook placing the rooster halfway through the game.

Personal Thoughts on Hens

Hens is perfect for those who enjoy puzzle games with a touch of strategy and a light-hearted theme. It’s ideal for families and casual gamers who appreciate quick, engaging games. The game’s simplicity and short playtime make it an excellent addition to any game collection, especially for those who enjoy games like Sagrada. However, players seeking a game with minimal luck and more complex strategies might find Hens a bit too straightforward.

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