Bearicades (2017) Board Game

Bearicades is a board game that was released in 2017 and designed by Christopher O’Neill. It is a card game that revolves around animals and environmental themes, making it a unique addition to the tabletop gaming world. The game features hand management, open drafting, and variable player powers, adding layers of strategy for players to explore.

Game Components of Bearicades

Forest creature cards

Bear cards for forming “bearicades”

Lumberjack cards with various types (Sneaky Lumberjack, Dynamite Lumberjack, Chainsaw Lumberjack, Robot Lumberjack, etc.)

Predator cards (The Wolf Pack, The Bat, etc.)

Game board representing the forest

How To Setup Bearicades

To set up the game, players populate the forest with woodland creatures. Each player starts with a set of forest animals and prepares for the first phase of the game. The lumberjack deck and predator deck are shuffled, and each player draws initial cards according to the game’s rules. The game board is set up to represent the forest, and players place their animals and any initial bearicades or predators.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Phases: The game is played in two phases: NIGHT and DAY.

NIGHT: Players recruit predators to defend their forest.

DAY: Lumberjacks are drawn and fought off using the recruited predators and bearicades.

Lumberjack Mechanics: Each lumberjack has unique skills, and drawing a lumberjack can force the drawing of additional lumberjacks.

Predator Mechanics: Predators can be used to defend the forest or to send lumberjacks to other players’ forests.

Objective: The goal is to be the last player with at least one animal remaining in the forest.

Player Experience

Playing **Bearicades** involves a strategic blend of defense and resource management. Players must carefully choose when to deploy their predators and bearicades to maximize their defensive capabilities. The game can escalate quickly, especially with lumberjacks that draw additional cards, leading to a war of attrition among players. This dynamic encourages players to gauge their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses, capitalizing on opportunities to transfer lumberjacks to other forests.

Pros

Engaging Artwork: The game’s forest and animal themes are visually appealing.

Strategic Depth: The game requires careful planning and resource management.

Interactive Mechanics: Players can interact with each other by sending lumberjacks to other forests.

Variable Play: Each game can be different due to the various types of lumberjacks and predators.

Cons

Replayability Issues: Without additional expansions, the game may become repetitive.

Unbalanced Mechanics: Some players have noted potential flaws in the game mechanics that can lead to uneven gameplay.

Rapid Escalation: The game can become overwhelming quickly due to the drawing of multiple lumberjacks.

Personal Thoughts on Bearicades

**Bearicades** is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a touch of thematic charm. It is particularly suited for those who like tower defense mechanics and interactive gameplay. However, players seeking high replayability might find the game less engaging after multiple playthroughs without additional content. For fans of forest-themed games and bear enthusiasts, **Bearicades** offers a unique and engaging experience.

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