Gem Hens (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Gem Hens is a board game released in 2019 by Social Sloth Games. It is a game that combines elements of animals, dice, farming, and real-time gameplay. Designed for 2 to 4 players, Gem Hens has a runtime of 30 to 45 minutes and offers a fun and engaging experience for players of all ages.

Game Components of Gem Hens

Player boards

Egg boards

Chicken action dice

Yard board

Farmer pawn

Grain gems (including wild pink gems)

Power Cluck cards (for advanced rules)

Chicken pawns

How To Setup Gem Hens

To set up Gem Hens, place the Yard board in the center of the table and position the Farmer pawn on the feeding schedule. Each player starts with a player board, an Egg board, and chicken action dice of their color. The chicken pawns are placed on the chicken coop outside the 6×6 grid on the Yard board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Dice placement

Action selection

Set collection

Game Objective

Players aim to collect and arrange gems on their Egg boards to score the highest points.

The game is played over three rounds.
1. **Grain Throwing Phase: The Farmer pawn moves, marking rows and columns where grain gems are placed.
2. **Chicken Dice Rolling Phase: Players roll their chicken dice, re-rolling as desired until time runs out. The dice are then locked in place.
3. **Chicken Actions Phase: Players take turns using their dice to perform actions like moving, shoving other chickens, or scratching for buried gems.

At the end of three rounds, players calculate the point value of their Egg features, with the highest total winning.

Player Experience

Gem Hens is a game that combines several engaging mechanics, making it a solid choice for family game nights. The game is easy to teach and understand, suitable for players as young as grade school age. However, it includes “take-that” elements where players can disrupt each other, which may frustrate younger players. The game has a significant element of chance due to the random distribution of gems, which can keep the game open and exciting for both kids and adults.

Pros

Engaging and colorful gameplay with shiny gems

Suitable for a wide age range, including family game nights

Easy to learn and understand

Includes advanced rules for added complexity and replayability

Cons

High level of chance can be frustrating for some players

“Take-that” mechanics may not be enjoyable for all players, especially younger ones

Personal Thoughts on Gem Hens

Gem Hens is an excellent choice for families or groups looking for a game that combines different mechanics in a fun and visually appealing way. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a mix of strategy and luck, and it’s versatile enough to be enjoyed at both two-player and four-player counts. However, players who prefer games with minimal chance and no direct player interaction may find this game less appealing.

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