CuBirds (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

CuBirds is a card game designed by Stefan Alexander and published by Catch Up Games in in 2018. The game features beautiful artwork by Kristiaan der Nederlanden and is suitable for 2-5 players with a runtime of around 20 minutes. It falls under the categories of Animals and Card Game, with gameplay focusing on hand management and set collection.

Game Components of CuBirds

110 bird cards divided into 8 different species

Each card shows the bird species, the number required for a small or large flock, and the total number of cards of that species available in the deck

A rulebook

How To Setup CuBirds

To set up CuBirds, shuffle all the bird cards and lay out 4 rows with 3 cards faceup at the centre of the table. Ensure each row contains 3 birds from different species. If a row has duplicate birds, discard the extras and replace them with new cards. The remaining cards form a facedown draw pile. Each player is dealt 8 cards from the draw pile to form their starting hand.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Category: Hand management, set collection

Mechanics: Players must play all cards of the same species from their hand to one of the four rows on the table.
– If a row already has a bird of the same species, the player takes all the cards between these birds into their hand.
– Players can choose to complete a flock by playing cards from their hand that meet the small or large flock requirement.
– Completing a flock adds one or two cards to the player’s collection, depending on the flock size, and discards the rest.

Game Objective: The first player to either gather 7 different species of birds or 2 species with at least 3 birds each wins the game.

Player Experience

CuBirds offers a lightweight yet engaging experience, perfect for a short, 20-minute game session. Players must strategically decide which birds to play and when, considering the potential impact on their opponents. The game encourages strategic thinking without inducing analysis paralysis, making it a fun and quick warm-up game. The dynamic of the game changes significantly with the number of players, offering more tactical play with two players and more luck and random elements with multiple players.

Pros

Simple, easy-to-learn rules

Engaging strategic depth despite short playtime

Colorful, isometric illustrations of birds are visually appealing

Encourages player interaction and strategic thinking

Suitable for players aged 8 and above

Cons

Game sessions are short and may not be as immersive for those seeking longer gameplay

Some players might find the luck element with card draws and discards to be a drawback

The game may not have enough complexity or replay value for experienced gamers

Personal Thoughts on CuBirds

CuBirds is an excellent choice for families, casual gamers, or those looking for a quick, light-hearted game to start or end a gaming session. It is particularly enjoyable for players who like games like Hanabi, Sushi Go, or Bohnanza, which also involve strategic set collection and hand management. While it may not offer the depth or complexity that hardcore gamers might seek, it provides a delightful and challenging experience that is easy to pick up and play.

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