Mosquito Show (2020) Board Game

Mosquito Show is a two-player abstract strategy game released in 2020 by The Flying Games. Designed by Bruno Cathala and Andrea Mainini, the game features grid movement and set collection mechanics, set in a world of colorful mosquitoes.

Game Components of Mosquito Show

Game board featuring a 4×4 grid

Two player sets, each including a chameleon and a toucan

Mosquito tokens (golden, gray, blue, red, and white) with various effects

Water lily tokens

How To Setup Mosquito Show

To set up the game, unfold and place the board between the two players. Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding chameleon and toucan. Shuffle the mosquito tokens and randomly stack three tokens on each of the nine ponds on the board. If the top token on a stack does not have a flower, flip it to reveal the mosquito, but leave tokens with flowers face down.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective: Be the first player to eat 9 golden mosquitoes or block your opponent’s animals.

Movement Phase: Players alternate turns using either their chameleon or toucan.

Chameleon: Can catch and eat a mosquito from an adjacent pond and then move orthogonally to an adjacent free jungle space.

Toucan: Flies over ponds, eating mosquitoes on the way, and moves diagonally. It cannot fly over empty ponds.

Mosquito Effects:

Golden Mosquitoes: No immediate effect, but collecting 9 wins the game.

Gray Mosquitoes: Allow moving the top token from one pond to another.

Blue Mosquitoes: Permit moving one of your animals to any free jungle space.

Red Mosquitoes: Force your opponent’s animal to move on their next turn.

White Mosquitoes: Allow discarding the top token from any pond.

Player Experience

**Mosquito Show** offers a unique blend of strategy and tactical maneuvering. Players must carefully plan their moves to ensure they can eat the prized golden mosquitoes while preventing their opponent from doing the same. The game’s use of different animal abilities and mosquito effects adds a layer of complexity and replayability.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game requires thoughtful planning and adaptability.

Replayability: The random placement of mosquito tokens and the various effects ensure no two games are the same.

Engaging Theme: The jungle setting and the dynamic between chameleons and toucans add a fun and visually appealing element.

Cons

Limited Player Count: Designed specifically for two players, which may limit its appeal for larger groups.

Luck Factor: The random distribution of mosquito tokens can introduce an element of luck that may not appeal to all players.

Personal Thoughts on Mosquito Show

**Mosquito Show** is ideal for fans of tactical games and those who enjoy abstract strategy. It is a great addition to any two-player game collection, offering a challenging and engaging experience that can be played in a relatively short amount of time. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking games with a higher player count or those who prefer games with minimal luck involved.

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