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Kitchen Rush (2017) Board Game

ByMichail

Kitchen Rush is a real-time, cooperative board game that was released in 2017 by Artipia Games. It is designed by Vangelis Bagiartakis and Dávid Turczi, with artwork by Natalia Kordowska and Bartłomiej Kordowski. The game is set in a busy restaurant kitchen, where players must work together to prepare and serve meals to customers under time pressure.

Game Components of Kitchen Rush

  • Game board
  • Sand timer
  • Player boards
  • Ingredient tokens
  • Order cards
  • Action tiles
  • Event tiles
  • Hourglass markers
  • Food tokens

    • How To Setup Kitchen Rush

  • Set up the game board in the center of the table.
  • Place the sand timer within reach of all players.
  • Each player takes a player board and places it in front of them.
  • Shuffle the order cards and place them face down on the board.
  • Place the ingredient tokens and food tokens nearby.
  • Distribute the action tiles and event tiles to each player.

    • Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    In Kitchen Rush, players must work together to fulfill orders by collecting ingredients, preparing dishes, and serving customers within a certain time limit. Players take turns placing their hourglass markers on various action spaces on their player boards to perform tasks such as collecting ingredients, cooking dishes, and taking orders. The game ends when all orders have been completed or time runs out.

    Player Experience

    #

    Pros:

  • Fast-paced and engaging gameplay
  • Requires teamwork and communication
  • Real-time mechanics add excitement and tension

    • #

    Cons:

  • Can be stressful for players who do not enjoy time pressure
  • Limited replayability once players have mastered the strategies
  • Components may wear out over time with frequent use

    • Personal Thoughts on Kitchen Rush

    Kitchen Rush is a unique and challenging board game that offers a different experience from traditional strategy games. The real-time mechanics make for a fast-paced and exhilarating gameplay, but it may not be suitable for players who prefer a more relaxed gaming experience. The components are well-designed and durable, but may show signs of wear with repeated use.

    In terms of pricing and availability, Kitchen Rush is priced reasonably for the quality of components and gameplay it offers. It can be found both new and used on various online retailers and game stores. For fans of cooperative games and real-time mechanics, Kitchen Rush is definitely worth checking out. However, if you are not a fan of time pressure or prefer more strategic gameplay, this game may not be for you. Overall, Kitchen Rush is a solid choice for players looking for a unique and immersive gaming experience in the worker placement category.

    Game Components of Kitchen Rush

  • Boards: 1 main board, 4 player mats, 1 prestige track mat
  • Cards: 60 Orders, 24 Events, 8 Prestige Bonuses, 10 Objectives, 4 Office Upgrades
  • Wooden Tokens: Custom-shaped meat, vegetable, bread, salad, pasta, cheese tokens; black, white, green, red, yellow spices cubes; purple prestige track cubes
  • Cardboard Tokens: Plates, coins, “locked,” “malfunction,” and “unavailable” tokens
  • Other Components: 10 hourglasses in 5 colors, 1 cloth bag, Rulebook in English.

    How To Setup Kitchen Rush

    To set up Kitchen Rush, players start by placing the main board in the center of the playing area. Each player receives a player mat and a set of hourglasses. The order cards, event cards, and prestige bonuses are shuffled and placed within reach. Players also set up the storage areas for ingredients, ovens, spice rack, and other kitchen facilities. The office and store areas are prepared for upgrades and supplies. The game is ready to start once all components are distributed and the sand timers are reset.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Real-Time Mechanism: Players use hourglasses as workers, assigning them to various tasks such as taking orders, cooking dishes, and buying groceries.
  • Worker Placement: Each worker (hourglass) can only be moved once it has run out and only to an empty spot on the board.
  • Kitchen Management: Manage different sections of the restaurant including the Maitre ‘d for seating customers, Waiter for grabbing or delivering orders, storage rooms for ingredients, ovens for cooking, and a spice rack.
  • Objective: Complete orders within each 4-minute round to earn money and prestige. Failure to complete an order costs prestige.
  • Prestige System: Reaching certain prestige levels unlocks new abilities and upgrades.

    Player Experience

    Kitchen Rush simulates the high-pressure environment of a busy kitchen, requiring players to work together to fulfill orders quickly. The game is known for its thrilling and fast-paced nature, keeping players on their toes as they plan and execute their actions rapidly. Despite its challenging and sometimes unforgiving gameplay, players find it highly enjoyable and motivating, encouraging them to improve with each play.

    Pros

  • Thrilling and Exciting: Captures the frantic nature of a real kitchen environment.
  • Cooperative: Encourages teamwork and coordination among players.
  • Variety of Tasks: Multiple tasks and areas to manage, keeping the game engaging and dynamic.
  • Upgrades and Progression: Unlock new abilities and upgrades as players progress through the game.

    Cons

  • Unforgiving Difficulty: Simple mistakes can lead to significant failures.
  • Complex Order Management: Smaller orders can be more profitable than larger, more complex ones, which can be counterintuitive.
  • Mechanical Issues: Some players find the game mechanics not fully intuitive, leading to frustrations.

    Personal Thoughts on Kitchen Rush

    Kitchen Rush is ideal for those who enjoy fast-paced, cooperative games and are looking for a challenge. It is suited for families and gamers alike who can handle the pressure and excitement of managing a virtual kitchen. While it may not be perfect, the game’s ability to simulate the hectic kitchen environment and its encouragement of teamwork make it a fun and engaging experience. However, it is not recommended for players seeking a more relaxed or straightforward gaming experience.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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