Animal Mind (2016) Board Game

Animal Mind is a board game released in 2016 by designer 樫尾忠英 and published by cosaic. It is a game that caters to 2-4 players, with a recommended age of 8 and up. The game falls under the categories of Animals, Bluffing, Card Game, and Negotiation, with gameplay mechanics revolving around Set Collection and Trading.

Game Components of Animal Mind

Animal cards

Action cards

Coins

Scoring board

Rulebook

How To Setup Animal Mind

Shuffle the animal cards and place them face down on the table.

Each player is dealt a starting hand of action cards.

Place the scoring board in the center of the play area.

Distribute coins to each player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Animal Mind, players must collect sets of animal cards through negotiation and bluffing. The game involves trading with other players to complete sets and score points. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Player Experience

Pros

Engaging negotiation and bluffing mechanics

Quick gameplay with a 30-minute runtime

Strategic depth in set collection

Cons

Limited player interaction

Lack of variability in card abilities

Not suitable for players looking for high player count games

Personal Thoughts on Animal Mind

Animal Mind is a decent game for players who enjoy negotiation and bluffing mechanics. The game offers strategic depth through set collection, but it may lack variability for some players. The build quality of the game is adequate, and the artwork by Ryo Sasaki adds to the overall theme.

In terms of pricing and availability, Animal Mind can be found in both new and used conditions. Alternatives to Animal Mind include similar bluffing and negotiation games such as Sheriff of Nottingham or Coup. Whether Animal Mind is worth your time depends on your preference for negotiation games and your group’s interest in the animal-themed gameplay.

Overall, Animal Mind is a game that can be enjoyable for those who appreciate its gameplay mechanics, but may not be suitable for players seeking higher player interaction or variability in abilities. It is recommended for those who enjoy strategic negotiation games and are looking for a game that can be played in a shorter time frame.

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