New York Slice is a party game designed by Jeffrey D. Allers and published by Bézier Games in in 2017. The game is inspired by the popular food item, pizza, and challenges players to create the best pizza slices while strategically choosing and arranging toppings.
Game Components of New York Slice
69 different pizza slices: Each slice has a number or special type (e.g., veggie, Hawaiian, meat lover’s).14 Daily Special tiles: These tiles add special abilities or scoring conditions to the game.Score sheets: Designed to look like receipts.Instruction manual: Themed like a pizza menu.Box: Designed to resemble a pizza box.
How To Setup New York Slice
To set up the game, start by removing specific slices based on the player count (e.g., remove slices with 8 or 10 for 2 players, slices with 10 for 5 players).
Shuffle the slices: Face down, and divide them into stacks of 11 slices.Remove extra slices: Three slices are set aside without being looked at and returned to the box.Add Daily Special tiles: Shuffle and place one tile near each stack of slices.Choose the first slicer: The player who was the last to win a game goes first.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
I Cut, You Choose: The slicer divides the pizza into portions equal to the number of players. Other players choose their portions in clockwise order, with the slicer taking the last portion.Slice Allocation: Players must decide which slices to eat (those with pepperoni) and which to keep. Slices eaten are turned face down; kept slices are face up.Special Tiles: These tiles can provide special abilities or scoring conditions. Examples include “Mystery Slice,” “Seconds,” “Sneak-A-Slice,” and “Stuffed Crust”.Scoring: Points are awarded for collecting the most slices of each number type. Ties result in no points for that type. Points are also scored for pepperonis eaten and special tile effects.
Player Experience
Playing New York Slice involves strategic decision-making and a bit of luck. Players must balance the desire to collect valuable slices for end-game points with the temptation to eat slices for immediate rewards. The game requires memory to track which slices have been taken and strategic thinking to split the pizza in a way that benefits the slicer while thwarting opponents.
Pros
Engaging Theme: The pizza theme is well-implemented, making the game enjoyable and thematic.High-Quality Components: The components, including thick cardboard slices and nicely designed tiles, add to the game’s appeal.Strategic Depth: The game offers a good balance of strategy and luck, making each round interesting.Variety: The inclusion of combo slices and special tiles adds variety and complexity to the game.
Cons
Tiebreakers: Ties result in no points, which can be frustrating for some players.Even Division: With more slices and special tiles, the division can sometimes be evenly split among players, which might reduce strategic choices.
Personal Thoughts on New York Slice
New York Slice is perfect for fans of light to medium-weight strategy games and those who enjoy the “I cut, you choose” mechanic. It’s an excellent addition to any game collection, especially for those who appreciate a well-themed and engaging game. The game is suitable for 2-6 players, making it versatile for different group sizes, and its 30-minute playtime ensures it fits neatly into a game night or casual gathering.
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