Blend Off! (2016) Board Game

Blend Off! is a real-time dice game that was released in in 2016. It was designed by a team of five individuals: Lina Cossette, Scot Eaton, David Forest, Luis Francisco, and Wayne Koenig. The game was published by Thunderworks Games and is suitable for players aged 6 and above. Blend Off! is a fast-paced game that involves dice rolling, hand management, and real-time gameplay mechanics.

Game Components of Blend Off!

Dice: Each player gets a six-sided die featuring five smoothie ingredients (blueberry, mango, strawberry, banana, and orange) and a question mark.

Blender Cards: Two blender cards per player.

Wooden Fruits: Miniature wooden fruits matching the ingredients on the dice.

Smoothie Order Cards: A deck of order cards, known as “Becca,” with unique combinations of ingredients and victory points.

Special Order Cards: Cards that modify the normal order cards.

Durian Fruit: A special fruit used for sabotaging opponents.

How To Setup Blend Off!

To set up Blend Off!, each player receives a die and two blender cards. The wooden fruits are placed within reach of all players. The smoothie order deck, “Becca,” is created based on the number of players, and one card per player plus one extra is drawn to form a pool of orders. Special Order cards are mixed into the order deck to add complexity.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Real-Time Rolling: Players roll their dice simultaneously to collect fruits.

Fruit Collection: Players can grab a wooden fruit matching their die roll or any fruit when rolling a question mark.

Order Fulfillment: Players fill smoothie orders by collecting the exact ingredients required.

Sabotage: Players can use the durian fruit to contaminate an opponent’s blender, forcing them to start over.

Special Orders: Special Order cards modify the ingredients needed for orders.

Objective: The goal is to fill orders and earn the most victory points before the order deck runs out.

Player Experience

Blend Off is a highly interactive and fast-paced game that encourages quick thinking and strategic planning. The game is filled with moments of excitement and frustration, especially when players sabotage each other. Games typically last around 10 minutes, making it an excellent starter for a night of board gaming.

Pros

Fast-Paced Action: The real-time rolling mechanic keeps players engaged and excited.

Interactive Sabotage: The ability to sabotage opponents adds a fun and competitive element.

Quick Setup and Playtime: Games are short and easy to set up.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players of various ages, including a “Blend Off Jr.” mode for younger players.

Cons

Luck-Dependent: Success can be heavily influenced by die rolls.

Limited Strategy: The game’s simplicity means there is limited depth in strategy.

Frustration: Sabotage and luck can lead to frustrating moments, especially for younger players.

Personal Thoughts on Blend Off!

Blend Off is ideal for families and groups looking for a light, fun, and quick game to kick off a gaming session. It’s perfect for those who enjoy real-time games and don’t mind a bit of luck and sabotage. While it may not offer deep strategy, it certainly provides a lot of joy and laughter in a short amount of time.

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