Blend Coffee Lab. (2017) Board Game

Blend Coffee Lab. is a card game that was released in 2017 by Saashi & Saashi. It is designed for 2-4 players and has a runtime of 15-30 minutes. The game is set in a coffee laboratory where players compete to create the best blends of coffee beans.

Game Components of Blend Coffee Lab.

Bean Cards: Each card represents a coffee bean with different roast levels and flavor components (acidity, aroma, body, sweetness).

Roast Group Cards: Define the roast levels of the beans.

Trend Cards: Influence the strength of the cards in players’ hands.

Skill Point Tokens: Used to track players’ scores.

How To Setup Blend Coffee Lab.

To set up the game, players start by shuffling the Bean Cards and dealing a certain number to each player. The Roast Group Cards are placed face up on the table to indicate the available roast levels. Trend Cards are also shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Each player’s objective is to create cups of coffee by collecting Bean Cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Trick-Taking Mechanic: Players take turns playing Bean Cards to create cups of coffee.

Roast Level Matching: Each cup must contain Bean Cards with the same roast level.

Trend Manipulation: Trend Cards change the strength of the cards in players’ hands, affecting strategy.

Score Conversion: Only the best score from each Roast Level is converted into points at the end of three rounds.

Roast Bonus: Completing a cup from the designated Roast Bonus group earns bonus points.

Objective: The player with the most points, earned by creating high-quality coffee blends, wins the game.

Player Experience

In Blend Coffee Lab, players immerse themselves in the art of blending coffee, balancing the four components of flavor: acidity, aroma, body, and sweetness. The game requires strategic thinking and adaptability as players must predict and manipulate the trends to maximize their scores. The ever-changing trends add a layer of excitement and unpredictability, making each game unique.

Pros

Engaging Theme: Combines coffee culture with strategic gameplay.

Variable Trends: Adds replayability and requires adaptive strategy.

Simple yet Deep: Easy to learn but challenging to master.

Short Playtime: Suitable for a quick game session.

Cons

Luck Element: Trend Cards can significantly affect gameplay, introducing an element of luck.

Limited Player Count: Designed for 2-4 players, which may limit group play.

Complex Scoring: Converting scores from each Roast Level can be confusing for new players.

Personal Thoughts on Blend Coffee Lab.

Blend Coffee Lab is perfect for those who enjoy card games with a strategic twist and a unique theme. It’s ideal for coffee enthusiasts and anyone looking for a game that balances simplicity with depth. However, it may not be the best fit for large groups or those who prefer games with minimal luck involved. If you’re looking for a game that challenges your strategic thinking and adds a fun twist to traditional card games, Blend Coffee Lab is definitely worth a try.

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