Battle Penguins (2018) Board Game

Battle Penguins is a card game released in 2018 by Ultra PRO. It is designed for 2-6 players and has a runtime of about 15 minutes. The game involves deck, bag, and pool building mechanics as well as secret unit deployment. With a recommended age of 8+, Battle Penguins is a fun and strategic game that is suitable for both kids and adults.

Game Components of Battle Penguins

Penguin figures

Battleground cards

Stat cards for penguins

Fish tokens (used for scoring)

Rulebook with various gameplay variants

How To Setup Battle Penguins

To set up the game, players start by drafting penguins into their squads. Each player divides their penguins into three squads and assigns each squad to a different battleground. The battleground cards are laid out, and each squad’s stats are calculated based on the penguins assigned to it.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Drafting Mechanic: Players draft penguins to form squads.

Area Control: Squads are assigned to different battlegrounds.

Scoring: Players earn fish tokens based on the stats of their squads at each battleground.

Game Objective: The player with the most fish tokens after three rounds wins.

Player Experience

Battle Penguins offers a fun and fast-paced experience, ideal for families and casual gamers. The game’s simplicity makes it easy to learn, but the strategic depth from drafting and squad placement keeps it engaging. Players enjoy the quick rounds and the variety of gameplay variants available, which can be combined with another Ultra Pro game, Battle Kittens, for added complexity.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Games last about 15 minutes.

Easy to Learn: Simple instructions and immediate playability.

Strategic Depth: Drafting and squad placement require strategic thinking.

Customizable: Multiple gameplay variants available.

Combination with Battle Kittens: Adds more variety and complexity.

Cons

Short Duration: Some players might find the game too short.

Limited Complexity: Not suitable for experienced gamers seeking deep strategy.

Quality of Components: Some reviews mention lower quality components.

Personal Thoughts on Battle Penguins

Battle Penguins is perfect for families, casual gamers, and those looking for a light, fun game to fill short intervals. It’s an excellent choice for introducing younger players to strategy and area control mechanics. However, experienced gamers might find it too simplistic. The ability to combine it with Battle Kittens adds a nice layer of complexity for those who want a bit more challenge. Overall, it’s a great addition to any game collection looking to include quick, enjoyable games.

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