Dulce (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Dulce is a card game designed by Justine Nortjé and published in 2022 by an unnamed publisher. It falls under the category of card games and is suitable for players aged 14 and above. The game features artwork by Stronghold Games and incorporates gameplay mechanics such as Bingo, Layering, and Multi-Use Cards.

Game Components of Dulce

4 Player boards

96 double-sided cards (24 per player)

115 Resource cubes (representing cocoa, coffee, peanuts, vanilla, and eggs)

4 Player Aid cards

4 Player meeples

4 Chicken meeples

High-quality components with vibrant colors and durable bits.

How To Setup Dulce

To set up the game, each player chooses a Player board and receives the corresponding cards, Player Aid card, Player meeple, and Chicken meeple. Players place their Player meeple on the “Zero” space on the score track and the Chicken meeple above it. The Resource cubes are placed within easy reach of all players. One player is selected as the Lead, who shuffles their deck, removes four cards without looking, and places the deck in front of them. Other players organize their decks by card number to facilitate quick card retrieval.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Card Drawing: The Lead player draws a card and announces its number; all players draw the corresponding card from their deck.

Action Phase: Players can build a cafe, plant resources, or harvest resources.

Scoring: Cafes score points when fully equipped with ingredients; byproducts can trigger further scoring.

Resource Management: Using resources efficiently and feeding excess to chickens for additional points.

Game Objective

Players aim to build the most efficient confectionary empire by scoring the most points over 20 rounds.

The game ends after 20 rounds, with the player having the most points declared the winner. In case of a tie, the player with the most eggs wins.

Player Experience

In Dulce, players take on the role of rival confectioners, managing resources and building cafes to produce a variety of sweets. The game’s unique mechanic where all players draw the same card adds a layer of strategy and tactical play, as each player must decide how to use the card to their advantage. This mechanic ensures a level playing field and allows players to observe and learn from each other’s strategies. The game is praised for its approachable engine-building mechanics and the satisfaction of creating efficient resource chains.

Pros

Approachable Engine-Building: The game is less complex than other engine-builders, making it accessible to new players.

Strategic Depth: Players must make strategic decisions on how to use each card.

High-Quality Components: Vibrant colors and durable bits enhance the game’s theme and playability.

Variety in Player Choices: Each card can be used in three different ways, preventing players from copying each other’s strategies.

Cons

Game Length with More Players: The game can slow down with more players, as each round involves individual actions.

Limited Interaction: The game feels the same in solo and multiplayer modes, with minimal interaction between players.

Resource Cube Design: The resource cubes are all off-white, which could be improved with patterns or different colors.

Personal Thoughts on Dulce

Dulce is an ideal game for those who enjoy engine-building and resource management without the complexity of more advanced titles. It’s a great introduction for new players to these genres and offers a satisfying puzzle to solve for experienced gamers. The game’s theme of building a confectionary empire, combined with its well-designed components and engaging mechanics, makes it a delightful addition to any board game collection. However, players seeking high levels of interaction might find Dulce a bit lacking in that aspect.

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