Bears&Bees (2018) Board Game

Bears&Bees is a card game released in 2018 by Delta Vision Publishing. Designed by Viktor Skachkov, Anastasia Skachkova, and Yury Yamshchikov, this game is a fun and engaging party game for 2 to 5 players. With a runtime of 20 to 30 minutes, Bears&Bees is suitable for players aged 10 and above.

Game Components of Bears&Bees

104 unique hexagonal cards, including honeycomb cards, Drone Bee cards, Worker Bee cards, Flower cards, and Bear cards.

Queen Bee card with six honey-colored sides.

Rulebook.

How To Setup Bears&Bees

To set up the game, start by shuffling the cards and placing the Queen Bee face-up in the center. Deal 9 cards to each player in a 2-3 player game, or 8 cards for 4-5 players. Flip the top card of the deck and place it adjacent to the Queen Bee. If this card is a Special Card (Drone, Worker, Flower, Bear), discard it and flip another card until a non-special card is drawn.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: The first player to eliminate all their cards wins the round.

Card Placement: Play cards by matching at least two sides with adjacent cards in the hive. Honey sides are wild and match any color.

Bonus Plays: Matching more than two sides earns bonus plays (3 sides: +1 play, 4 sides: +2 plays, 5 sides: +3 plays, 6 sides: win the round immediately).

Special Cards:

Drone Bee: Has 3 honey sides and 3 colored sides.

Worker Bees: Force other players to draw cards based on the number of matched sides.

Flowers: Make all other players draw cards according to the number of sides matched.

Bear: Must touch a honey side, ends the turn, and no other cards can be played on it.

Scoring: The round ends when a player eliminates all their cards. Other players score points for the cards left in their hands (Honeycomb: 5 points, Drone/Flower/Worker Bee: 10 points, Bear: 15 points). The player with the fewest points after three rounds wins.

Player Experience

**The Bears and the Bees** offers a delightful and challenging experience. Despite its simple rules, the game requires strategic thinking and visual perception. The unique, hand-designed cards create a colorful and dynamic hive that grows as the game progresses. Players must balance matching colors with strategic use of special cards to hinder their opponents. The game is suitable for all ages, with options to modify the rules for younger players, making it an excellent choice for family game nights.

Pros

Unique and Challenging: Each card is uniquely illustrated, making every game different.

Strategic Depth: Simple to learn but hard to master, with opportunities for bonus plays and strategic card use.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 8 and up, with modifications for younger players.

Colorful and Aesthetic: The game creates a visually appealing hive as it progresses.

Portable: The game comes in a small, portable box.

Cons

Analysis Paralysis: Players may experience decision-making delays due to the numerous options.

Shuffling Difficulty: The hexagonal shape of the cards can make shuffling challenging.

Special Card Rules: Some special card rules, like the Bear card, can be confusing if not clearly understood.

Personal Thoughts on Bears&Bees

**The Bears and the Bees** is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a game that combines strategy, pattern building, and a bit of luck. It is particularly suitable for families, as it is easy enough for children to understand but still engaging for adults. The game’s unique artwork and the dynamic nature of the hive make it a standout in any game collection. Whether you’re playing with two or up to five players, **The Bears and the Bees** offers a fun and challenging experience that will keep you coming back for more.

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