Happy Bee (2023) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Happy Bee is a card game designed by Anna Formilan and published by a yet-to-be-announced publisher. The game is set to be released in 2023 and is suitable for players aged 8 and above. The game features charming artwork by Helvetiq and revolves around the theme of bees.

Game Components of Happy Bee

7 bee cards per player, each featuring a bee on a colored background matching a flower suit

Stacks of colored flower cards, each numbered from 1 to 5 to indicate point value

Rulebook with additional information on bees, pollinators, and organic farming

How To Setup Happy Bee

To set up Happy Bee, each player is dealt seven bee cards. In front of the players, stacks of colored flower cards are arranged. These flower cards are colored like the bee cards and numbered to show their point values. The game is ready to start once all players have their bee cards and the flower cards are in place.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Simultaneous Card Selection: Players select their bee card(s) and place them face down.

Majority Wins: The player with the most cards of a particular color wins the corresponding flower card and its points.

Tie Results in Discard: If two or more players play the same number of cards of the same color, neither wins and the flower card is discarded.

Card Passing: After each round, players pass their unplayed cards to the player on their left and receive cards from the player on their right.

Variable Card Play: The number of cards played varies each round, starting from one card and increasing to five, then decreasing back to one over nine rounds.

Objective: The player with the most points at the end of nine rounds wins.

Player Experience

Happy Bee offers a fun and strategic experience with simple yet engaging mechanics. Players must make risk/reward decisions about which flower cards to aim for and how to manage their bee cards. The game is easy to learn and teach, taking less than five minutes to go from unboxing to playing the first game. It is suitable for ages 8+ but can be enjoyed by younger children from gaming families.

Pros

Quick gameplay (5-10 minutes)

Easy to learn and teach

Suitable for families and non-gamers

Eco-friendly and educational theme

Affordable price point

Cons

Muted colors may be challenging for visually impaired or color-blind players

Gameplay and theme are not strongly linked

Personal Thoughts on Happy Bee

Happy Bee is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a quick, fun, and family-friendly game. It’s perfect for game nights, family gatherings, or as a stocking filler. The game’s simplicity and short playtime make it an ideal filler game that won’t overshadow the main event but will certainly add some sweetness to your gaming session. If you’re looking for a game that is easy to understand and enjoyable for all ages, Happy Bee is a great pick.

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