HUNGER: The Show (2017) Board Game

HUNGER: The Show is a board game released in 2017, designed by Robert Adler and illustrated by PHALANX. It falls under the categories of bluffing, card game, deduction, and party game, making it a versatile and engaging option for game nights with friends and family.

Game Components of HUNGER: The Show

18 Fruit tokens

18 Chicken tokens

24 Raft parts

30 Coconut tokens

48 Canned food tokens

Six sets of player cards (4 Location cards, 5 Action cards, 1 Character card)

23 Event cards (12 unpleasant, 10 neutral, 1 The End of the Show card)

6 Alternative Character cards

1 Starting Player card

A three-dimensional board

90 cards

138 tokens in total

1 rulebook

10 plastic zip bags for token storage.

How To Setup HUNGER: The Show

To set up the game, each player starts with 20 points in canned food and a set of player cards. The board features four locations on the island: the campsite, the beach, the jungle, and the mountains. Resources such as fruits, chickens, and raft parts are placed upside down in these locations. Players choose their starting location and action secretly, which will be revealed and executed in the order determined by the Leader, who changes after every round.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Simultaneous Action Selection: Players choose their actions and locations secretly.

Bluffing: Predicting opponents’ actions to gain advantages.

Deduction: Figuring out the best actions based on available information.

Resource Management: Gathering food and raft parts.

Thievery: Stealing resources from other players.

Events: Dealing with event cards that affect gameplay.

Game Objective

Be the last contestant remaining on the island.

Have the most completed rafts when The End of the Show card is drawn.

Survive by managing food resources and building a raft.

Player Experience

HUNGER: The Show provides a dynamic and interactive experience where players must balance resource gathering, raft building, and outsmarting their opponents. The game is light and easy to learn but offers enough strategy to keep players engaged. Each player must navigate the island, manage their food supply, and build their raft while anticipating the actions of their competitors. The addition of event cards and thievery mechanics introduces elements of unpredictability and social interaction.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: Simultaneous action selection and bluffing create a fun and interactive experience.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to a wide range of players.

Social Interaction: Encourages strategic thinking and player interaction.

Variety in Play: Event cards and thievery add unpredictability to each game.

Cons

Short Game Duration: Games are relatively short, lasting only 15-20 minutes.

Luck Factor: Event cards and resource distribution can introduce significant randomness.

Limited Depth: The game is designed as a light filler and may lack complexity for experienced gamers.

Personal Thoughts on HUNGER: The Show

HUNGER: The Show is an excellent choice for families and casual gamers looking for a quick, fun, and interactive game. It is particularly suitable for those who enjoy social deduction and bluffing mechanics. While it may not offer the depth and complexity sought by more seasoned gamers, it serves well as a filler game or an introduction to more strategic gameplay. The game’s theme, inspired by reality TV shows, adds a playful and adventurous twist that enhances the overall player experience.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.