How to Serve Man (2016) Board Game

How to Serve Man is a board game released in 2016 that falls under the humor science fiction category. Designed by Eric Hibbeler and Jamie Toon, with artwork by Gateway Games, this game is geared towards 2-6 players aged 10 and above. It involves elements of hand management and worker placement, promising an engaging gameplay experience.

Game Components of How to Serve Man

Player boards: Each player has a personal board for tracking progress.

Master Chef and Sous-Chef tokens: Used for worker placement.

Ingredient cards: Representing various human ingredients for the dishes.

Recipe cards: Detailing the required ingredients and actions.

Action spaces: On the main board, where chefs can perform different tasks.

Dice: For resolving certain actions and challenges.

How To Setup How to Serve Man

To set up the game, each player selects a player board and receives a set of Master Chef and Sous-Chef tokens. The main board is placed in the middle of the playing area, and the ingredient and recipe cards are shuffled and dealt out according to the rules. Players start with a few basic ingredients and a simple recipe to begin their culinary journey.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players place their Master Chef and Sous-Chef tokens on various action spaces on the board to gather ingredients, prepare dishes, or disrupt opponents.

Resource Management: Managing ingredients and recipes to create dishes efficiently.

Area Control: Strategically placing chefs to control key areas of the board.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most points by creating and serving dishes, while also sabotaging opponents’ efforts.

Player Experience

Playing **How to Serve Man** is a fun and light-hearted experience, perfect for a casual game night. The game’s theme of alien chefs using humans as ingredients adds a quirky and humorous twist. The gameplay is straightforward, making it accessible to new players, but it still offers enough depth for strategic thinking.

Pros

Easy to learn: Simple rules and intuitive gameplay.

Quick games: Typical playtime is about 60 minutes.

High replayability: Random ingredient and recipe cards ensure different experiences each game.

Social interaction: Players can sabotage each other, adding a fun competitive element.

Cons

Limited complexity: Some players may find the game too simple or repetitive.

Theme can be off-putting: The idea of using humans as ingredients might not appeal to everyone.

Components quality: Some reviews mention the components could be better quality.

Personal Thoughts on How to Serve Man

**How to Serve Man** is ideal for those who enjoy light-hearted, family-friendly games with a dash of humor. It’s a great introduction to worker-placement mechanics and is suitable for players aged 10 and above. While it may not offer the depth that hardcore gamers seek, it provides an enjoyable and quick gaming experience perfect for a casual evening with friends or family.

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