Bears vs Babies (2017) Board Game

Bears vs Babies is a card game created by Matthew Inman and Elan Lee, the same team behind the popular card game Exploding Kittens. The game was funded through a Kickstarter campaign in 2017 and quickly gained popularity for its quirky humor and engaging gameplay. In Bears vs Babies, players build monstrous bears to battle against an army of babies in a hilarious showdown.

Game Components of Bears vs Babies

107 Cards (2.5 x 3.5 inches)

Playmat

FAQ sheet

Rule Book

Furry box packaging

How To Setup Bears vs Babies

To set up the game, players start by shuffling the deck and dealing a hand of cards to each player. The deck is split into three piles to add randomness. Each player must build monsters (bears) using the cards, which include various body parts and action cards. The game includes a playmat that helps organize the game components and provides additional humor through its design.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Actions: Each turn, players have a limited number of actions to draw cards, build their monsters, or fight babies.

Monster Building: Players assemble bears using head, body, and limb cards.

Baby Stacks: Three stacks of baby cards accumulate over time, and players can provoke these babies to fight their bears.

Power Matching: The power of the bear’s parts must match or exceed the power of the babies to defeat them.

Game Objective: The player who defeats the most babies by the end of the game wins.

Player Experience

Playing **Bears vs Babies** can be a mixed experience. The game starts off as a fun and creative challenge, with players enjoying the humorous and bizarre monster parts. However, the game can become repetitive and grindy, especially in games with more players, where each player has fewer actions. The lack of mechanically unique cards and the randomness of drawing babies instead of useful parts can frustrate players.

Pros

Creative and Humorous Design: The game features absurd and funny monster parts, adding to its entertainment value.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 10 and above, making it a good option for family game nights.

Strategic Elements: More strategic than Exploding Kittens, with players managing actions to build and fight effectively.

Unique Packaging: The furry box is an appealing and fun packaging element.

Cons

Repetitive Gameplay: The game can feel grindy and repetitive, especially after the first playthrough.

Limited Card Mechanics: Cards lack unique mechanical differences, leading to a bland experience over time.

Randomness Issues: Drawing babies instead of useful parts can disrupt gameplay and feel frustrating.

Limited Actions in Multiplayer: With more players, the number of actions per turn decreases, making progress difficult.

Personal Thoughts on Bears vs Babies

**Bears vs Babies** is ideal for those looking for a light, family-friendly game with a touch of humor and strategy. However, it may not be the best choice for experienced gamers seeking complex mechanics or high replayability. It’s a good addition to a collection for casual, fun nights but may not hold up to repeated plays due to its repetitive nature. If you’re considering this game, it might be wise to try someone else’s copy first to gauge your interest.

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