Hickory Dickory (2023) Board Game

Hickory Dickory’ is a fun and light-hearted board game released in 2023 by Plaid Hat Games. Designed by Sawyer West and featuring artwork by Sonja Müller, the game is themed around animals racing to reach the finish line.

Game Components of Hickory Dickory

Player boards: Each player receives a random hunt board showing the starting setup for their mice and the item tiles needed to score points.

Mice figures: Each player controls a team of mice, each with unique abilities.

Item tokens: Representing various items to be collected and delivered.

Favor cards: Offering special effects and surprises.

Scavenger hunt cards: Used to track the items players need to collect.

Clock mechanism: The game features a cuckoo clock with a minute hand that players navigate.

Relics and quest cards: For completing quests and earning victory points.

Tile bags: For drawing item tiles.

How To Setup Hickory Dickory

To set up Hickory Dickory, players start by placing the cuckoo clock board at the center of the playing area. Each player is dealt a random hunt board and a set of mice figures. The item tokens, relics, and quest cards are shuffled and placed according to their designated spaces on the clock board. Players also receive Favor cards and set up their starting mice positions on the hunt board. The minute hand is set to the starting position, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Rotation: Mice ride around the minute hand of the cuckoo clock, jumping off to perform actions.

Item Collection: Collect item tokens that match the scavenger hunt card.

Action Spaces: Use clock spaces to perform various actions like climbing the chain weights, collecting tiles, and visiting the market.

Favor Cards: Use special effects from Favor cards to gain advantages.

Quests and Relics: Complete quests and return relics to earn victory points.

Objective: The goal is to collect the necessary items for the scavenger hunt card, climb the chain weights, and complete quests to earn the most victory points (berries) by the time the clock strikes midnight.

Player Experience

In Hickory Dickory, players embark on a royal scavenger hunt hosted by Lord Cuckoo. The game is full of strategic decisions as players need to manage their mice’s positions on the clock, utilize their unique abilities, and make the most of the actions available on each space. The dynamic nature of the game, with mice hopping on and off the minute hand, adds a layer of unpredictability and excitement.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The whimsical theme of mice on a cuckoo clock is both fun and unique.

Strategic Depth: Multiple mechanics provide a rich and strategic gameplay experience.

Variable Player Powers: Each mouse has a unique ability, adding replayability.

Interactive Gameplay: Players interact with each other through the clock mechanism.

Cons

Complex Setup: Setting up the game can be somewhat complex due to the numerous components and rules.

Learning Curve: Understanding all the mechanics and strategies can take some time.

Luck Factor: The random draw of item tokens and Favor cards introduces an element of luck.

Personal Thoughts on Hickory Dickory

Hickory Dickory is ideal for players who enjoy strategic worker placement games with a twist. It is suitable for families with children aged 10 and above, as well as for experienced board game enthusiasts looking for a game that combines multiple mechanics in an engaging and thematic way. The game’s unique clock mechanism and the dynamic movement of the mice make it a standout in the board game world, offering a fun and challenging experience for all players involved.

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