Men at Work (2018) Board Game

Men at Work is a board game released in 2018 by Pretzel Games. It is designed by Rita Modl and features artwork by Bernard Bittler and Chris Quilliams. The game falls under the action/dexterity category, where players must stack and balance different objects to complete tasks and earn points.

Game Components of Men at Work

Support pieces forming the base of the structure

Wooden girders in four colors

Wooden bricks and beams

Meeple construction workers

Cardboard safety certificates

Victory point tokens

Instruction deck

Boss Rita card

Cleanup hook with a measuring stick

Optional: Cardboard crane for the Crane variant

How To Setup Men at Work

To set up the game, the start player decides where the support pieces will go and places one girder of each color onto the supports. Each player then places one worker on a girder of their choice. The instruction deck is shuffled, and the Boss Rita card is inserted about a quarter of the way down into the deck. Each player receives a certain number of safety certificates to start the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Dexterity: Players must carefully place girders, bricks, beams, and workers without causing the structure to collapse.

Instruction Following: Players follow instructions from the instruction deck to add specific pieces to the site.

Cleanup: After an accident, players use the cleanup hook to retrieve fallen pieces.

Game Objective

The game ends when one player has the required number of Worker of the Month certificates (between 3 and 5, depending on the number of players) or when only one player has any safety certificates left.

The player with the most Worker of the Month certificates wins, or if materials run out, the player with the largest combination of safety certificates and Worker of the Month awards wins.

Player Experience

Men at Work encourages bold and creative play, pushing players to build higher and riskier structures to earn rewards. The game is highly engaging, with hilarious moments and satisfying rewards for successful plays. Even after being eliminated, players can enjoy watching others navigate the challenges of the construction site. However, the game does involve a lot of luck and lack of control, which might not appeal to everyone.

Pros

Hilariously Engaging: The game offers funny moments and entertaining gameplay.

Theme Works Well: The construction theme is well-executed and visually appealing.

Great Gateway Game: Easy to learn, making it a great introduction to board games for new players.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players of various ages, including younger gamers.

Cons

Rules-heavy: More rules than expected for a stacking game, leading to frequent rulebook checks.

Niche Game: Might be dismissed by some due to its dexterity focus.

Prone to Accidents: The structure can easily collapse if the table is bumped.

Personal Thoughts on Men at Work

Men at Work is ideal for those looking for a fun, light-hearted game that combines physical skill with strategic thinking. It’s perfect for families and casual gamers who enjoy dexterity challenges. However, players who prefer games with more control and less luck might find this game less appealing. Overall, it’s a great addition to any game collection seeking to add a bit of physical excitement and laughter to game nights.

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.