Cheesonomics (2014) Board Game

Cheesonomics is a card game that was released in 2014 by designer Shannon Crutchfield and Pixel Productions Inc. The game is all about cheese and economic strategy, where players compete to become the ultimate cheese tycoon. With its unique theme and gameplay mechanics, Cheesonomics offers a fun and engaging experience for 2 to 5 players.

Game Components of Cheesonomics

100 Cheese Wedge cards: Representing various types of cheese.

25 Market Wedge tiles: Indicating market demand for cheeses.

120 Curd Cash bills: The currency used in the game.

5 cheese knives: Used by players to mark their selections.

1 serving tray (lid): Central to the game setup.

Expansion: Includes an Extra Sharp variant for added complexity.

How To Setup Cheesonomics

To set up the game, each player receives a cheese knife and five cheese wedge cards. The serving tray is placed in the center of the table. Market wedges are shuffled, and 15 are drawn at random to form three circles on the table, representing the current market demand. The player whose cheese knife comes first alphabetically goes first.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Actions

Churn Cheese: Pick a color or animal not covered by a cheese knife, forcing other players to give you a card of that type.

Produce Cheese: Play all cards of a specific color or animal type from your hand, making them available for sale.

Sell Cheese: Sell produced cheese wedges based on market demand.

Game Objective

The game ends when the cheese wedge cards run out. Players earn Curd Cash for unsold cheese and for selling the most wedges of each animal type.

The player with the most Curd Cash wins.

Player Experience

Cheesonomics offers a blend of strategy and memory, making it engaging for both kids and adults. The game’s cutesy appearance and cheese-themed humor may not appeal to all, but it provides a fun and light-hearted experience. Players need to manage their hand carefully and remember which market wedges have been flipped to influence future sales.

Pros

Kid-friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Strategic depth: Combines set collection, hand management, and memory elements.

Variants: Includes Mild and Sharp variants, with the Extra Sharp expansion adding more complexity.

Cons

Thematic appeal: May not appeal to hardcore gamers due to its cartoony and cheesy theme.

Memory requirement: The Sharp variant requires a good memory to manipulate the market effectively.

Personal Thoughts on Cheesonomics

Cheesonomics is perfect for families and casual gamers who enjoy light-hearted, thematic games. It’s an excellent choice for those looking for a game that is easy to learn but still offers some strategic depth. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking complex, hardcore gaming experiences. If you’re a fan of cheese or just looking for a fun, family-friendly game, Cheesonomics is definitely worth considering.

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