Abuela Co. (2021) Board Game

Abuela Co. is a card game designed by Manuel Jacobo Monroy (Maganalig) and was released in in 2021. It is a family-friendly game that revolves around the theme of running a traditional Mexican grandmother’s kitchen. Players take on the roles of grandkids trying to impress their abuela by collecting ingredients and preparing dishes.

Game Components of Abuela Co.

Game board featuring a four-burner stove

Player tokens and character cards representing grandmothers

Recipe cards for various dishes

Ingredients and cooking utensil tokens

Mini-expansion pack “Con Más Sazón” available for added variety

How To Setup Abuela Co.

To set up the game, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the table, which depicts a busy kitchen with a four-burner stove. Each player chooses a grandmother token and places it on the board. Recipe cards are shuffled and distributed, and ingredients and utensil tokens are placed within reach. The mini-expansion pack, if included, adds additional recipe cards and ingredients to the mix.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Mechanics: Area Control, Real-Time, and Resource Management

Objective: Players must cook several typical dishes on the four-burner stove while avoiding conflicts with other grandmothers.

Gameplay: Players manage ingredients, cooking times, and stove space to complete recipes efficiently.

Player Experience

Playing **Abuela Co.** is a fun and chaotic experience, especially with multiple players vying for stove space. The game demands strategic thinking and quick reflexes as players navigate the kitchen, gathering ingredients and avoiding clashes with other grandmothers. The real-time element adds a layer of excitement and urgency, making each game session lively and engaging.

Pros

Interactive and Dynamic: The real-time mechanics create a lively and interactive gameplay experience.

Strategic Depth: Players must balance resource management and area control to succeed.

Family Friendly: Suitable for players aged 12 and above, making it a great family game night option.

Expandable: The mini-expansion pack “Con Más Sazón” adds more recipes and ingredients, extending the game’s replayability.

Cons

Learning Curve: New players may find the real-time mechanics and multiple rules overwhelming at first.

Components: While the components are generally well-made, some players might find the token management a bit fiddly.

Personal Thoughts on Abuela Co.

**Abuela Co.** is perfect for families and groups of friends looking for a game that combines strategy and real-time action. It’s an excellent choice for those who enjoy area control and resource management games but also appreciate a dash of chaos and fun. The game’s theme, centered around cooking and grandmothers, adds a charming and culturally rich element that makes it stand out from more generic board games. If you’re looking for a game that will keep you on your toes and bring laughter to the table, **Abuela Co.** is an excellent pick.

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