Bloom (2008) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Bloom is an abstract strategy board game released in 2008, designed by Laurent Escoffier and David Franck, and published by Quined White Goblin Games. The game is set in a farming theme, where players compete to cultivate their fields and grow flowers. With a runtime of 60 minutes and suitable for players aged 8 and above, Bloom offers a mix of strategy and tile placement mechanics for an engaging gameplay experience.

Game Components of Bloom

Player sheets: Each player receives a random game sheet divided into 5 beds of 12 flowers.

Writing implement: Players use a pen or pencil to mark their sheets.

Dice: The game includes six dice, each with different numbers and colors.

Game box: A magnetic fold box containing the components.

How To Setup Bloom

To set up Bloom, each player is given a random game sheet and a writing implement. The start player rolls the six dice to begin the game. There is no complex setup required, making it quick and easy to get started.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Roll-and-write: Players take turns choosing a die from the rolled pool and circling corresponding flowers on their sheet.

Color matching: Players must match the color of the die with the flowers on their sheet.

Scoring: Players score points by completing flower beds and entire colors.

Game Objective

Complete flower beds: Fill in all the flowers in a bed to score points.

Complete colors: Be the first to complete all flowers of one color to shout “Bouquet!” and score additional points.

Avoid unhappy customers: Minimize circling flowers not of the die’s color to avoid losing points.

Player Experience

In Bloom, players focus on optimizing their own player sheet by carefully choosing which dice to use to fill in their flower beds. The game is simple yet engaging, with a fun twist where players don’t know what others are completing until someone yells “Bouquet!” This mechanic shifts the focus from hoping for the right dice to direct optimization of one’s own sheet. However, at lower player counts, the game can feel a bit solitary and fill in too quickly.

Pros

Simple mechanics: Easy to learn and play.

Quick gameplay: Games last about 20 minutes.

Portable: The magnetic fold box makes it convenient to carry and play outside the usual game space.

Visual rulebook: The rulebook includes helpful pictures as examples.

Cons

Solo play limitations: Solo gameplay lacks strategy and can become repetitive.

Lower player count issues: The game feels less engaging with fewer players.

Personal Thoughts on Bloom

Bloom is perfect for those who enjoy roll-and-write games and are looking for a light, family-friendly experience. It’s ideal for short game sessions and is particularly suited for groups of 4-5 players. While it may not offer deep strategic gameplay, it provides a fun and casual experience that is easy to set up and play. If you enjoy games like these and need something to fill a short game slot, Bloom is a great addition to your collection. However, if you’re looking for a game with more complexity or solo play depth, you might want to consider other options.

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