Mooncake Master (2019) Board Game

Mooncake Master is a board game released in 2019, designed by Daryl Chow and featuring artwork by Origame and another artist. The game falls under the puzzle category and is suitable for players aged 8 and above. With a runtime of 20-40 minutes, Mooncake Master can accommodate 1 to 6 players, making it a versatile and engaging option for game nights.

Game Components of Mooncake Master

Quarter tiles depicting different flavors of mooncakes

Player guides in various colors

Scoring tokens

Customer cards

Game board or scoreboard

How To Setup Mooncake Master

To set up the game, shuffle the quarter tiles face down and place them within reach of all players. Each player receives a player guide and a scoring token, which is placed on the scoreboard. Shuffle the Customer deck and flip one Customer card face-up for all players to see.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Tile Drafting: Players draw three tiles simultaneously and choose one to keep, one to pass to the left, and one to pass to the right.

Puzzle-Solving: Players form whole mooncakes by fitting four quarter-tiles together.

Simultaneous Play: Players create mooncakes in real-time.

Customer Fulfillment: Players aim to satisfy customer orders for specific mooncake combinations.

Game Objective

Create the most delicious mooncakes to satisfy fussy customers and gain Festive Points.

Earn points based on Taste Value (single-flavored, two-flavored, or three-flavored mooncakes) and customer order fulfillment.

Player Experience

In Mooncake Master, players take on the roles of apprentice bakers competing to create the most appealing mooncakes. The game is divided into three rounds, each consisting of four turns. The interactive and simultaneous nature of the game makes it engaging and sometimes chaotic, especially when passing tiles between players. The relative scoring system helps keep the game tight, ensuring no player can significantly outrun the others.

Pros

Engaging Theme: Celebrates the Mid-Autumn festival with a unique and festive theme.

High-Quality Components: Thick, textured tiles and detailed illustrations add to the game’s aesthetic appeal.

Catch-Up Mechanism: Relative scoring ensures the game remains competitive throughout.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 10 and above.

Cons

Chaotic Tile Passing: The simultaneous tile passing can become confusing and messy.

Complexity in Tracking Tiles: Players may lose track of whose tiles are being passed around.

Personal Thoughts on Mooncake Master

Mooncake Master is perfect for families, casual gamers, and those interested in cultural themes. It’s an excellent addition to any game collection, especially for those who appreciate puzzles and strategic planning. The game’s festive theme makes it a great choice for the Mid-Autumn festival, much like Christmas-themed games are for December. If you enjoy interactive, simultaneous gameplay with a touch of cultural heritage, Mooncake Master is definitely worth trying.

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.