Brew (2021) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Brew is a fantasy-themed board game that was released in 2021 by Pandasaurus Games. Designed by Stevo Torres, the game is intended for 2 to 4 players, with a runtime of 45 to 90 minutes. Brew combines elements of area majority/influence, dice rolling, open drafting, take that, and progressive turn order mechanics to create a unique and engaging gameplay experience.

Game Components of Brew

Dice: Four forage dice and two element dice per player.

Forest Cards: These change each round and are used for area control and ingredient gathering.

Potion Cards: Four face-up potions each round, requiring specific ingredients to brew.

Creature Cards: Provide special powers and bonuses.

Tokens: Represent ingredients, victory points, and other game elements.

Game Board: Double-sided, featuring different actions for day and night.

Player Reference Cards: Double-sided, aiding in learning the game.

How To Setup Brew

To set up Brew, each player starts with a set of dice (four forage and two element dice) and a player reference card. The forest cards are shuffled and placed face up on the board, showing the available spaces for dice placement. The potion cards are also shuffled, with four face-up potions available each round. Creature cards are placed within reach of all players. The game board is set up with the day or night side facing up, depending on the round.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Placement: Players roll and place their dice on the board or forest cards to gather ingredients, train creatures, or control forests.
– Forage dice must be placed on matching symbols on forest cards.
– Element dice can be placed on any forage symbol or matching element symbol, and have special powers.

Brewing Potions: Players can brew one potion per turn using gathered ingredients.

Drinking Potions: Players can drink one potion per turn to use its effects.

Area Control: Control of forests is determined by the number of forage dice; element dice can negate or complicate this control.

Creature Training: Creatures provide special powers and bonuses.

Victory Points: Points are earned from brewed potions, controlled forests, trained creatures, and leftover ingredients.

Player Experience

Brew offers a dynamic and interactive experience with a high level of player engagement. The game starts with a plethora of options, which can be overwhelming but becomes more manageable as players develop strategies. The inclusion of element dice and potion powers adds a layer of complexity and tension, especially in the late game. Players must balance gathering ingredients, training creatures, and controlling forests while disrupting their opponents’ plans. The game’s thematic coherence is somewhat lacking, but the gameplay is engaging and challenging.

Pros

High Player Interaction: Plenty of opportunities to disrupt opponents’ plans.

Strategic Depth: Combines worker placement, area control, and resource management.

Quality Components: Well-designed game board, cards, and tokens.

Dynamic Gameplay: Each round offers new challenges and opportunities.

Replayability: Various combinations of potions and creatures ensure different experiences each game.

Cons

Complex Initial Setup: Many options can be overwhelming at the start.

Take-That Mechanic: Can be frustrating for players who dislike direct interaction.

Thematic Incoherence: The game’s theme and mechanics do not fully align.

Tense Gameplay: High level of competition can lead to bitter endings.

Personal Thoughts on Brew

Brew is ideal for players who enjoy medium-weight strategy games with high player interaction. If you appreciate games like *Viticulture* or *Skora*, you will likely enjoy the area control and worker placement mechanics in Brew. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer cooperative games or avoid direct competition. The game’s design rewards strategic thinking and adaptability, making it a great choice for gamers looking for a challenging yet engaging experience.

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