Picky Eaters (2024) Board Game

The Picky Eaters board game, released in 2024, is designed by Alex Hoskins and illustrated by Le Fou. It is a card game that is geared towards educating players about different foods and encouraging them to try new things. The game is targeted towards children aged 8 and above, but can be enjoyed by players of all ages.

Game Components of Picky Eaters

Guest Deck: Contains cards representing different guests with unique food preferences.

Food Deck: Includes cards for various ingredients and recipes.

Market Cards: Displayed cards from which players can gather ingredients.

Recipe Cards: Cards that players must complete using ingredients.

Item Cards: Special cards that can enhance or hinder recipes and gameplay.

Player Boards: For tracking recipes and scores.

How To Setup Picky Eaters

To set up the game, you start by shuffling the food and guest decks. Select the first player and deal five food cards to each player (or six in a two or three-player game). Ensure each player discards down to a maximum hand limit of ten cards. Fill the market with twice the number of cards as players (e.g., six cards in a two-player game). This setup prepares the game for the dynamic and challenging rounds ahead.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Reveal a New Guest: At the start of each round, a new guest card is revealed, showing their food preferences.

Gather Ingredients: Players take turns taking a card from the market or drawing from the food deck.

Prepare Recipes: Players can prepare recipes by discarding the required ingredients and placing the recipe card in one of their five slots.

Substitute Ingredients: Players can substitute one ingredient by discarding three other cards.

Play Item Cards: Use special cards to influence points for your recipes or disrupt opponents’ plans.

Discard and Draw: Discard two cards to draw one from the deck.

Pass: End your turn if you cannot or do not want to take any action.

Score Points: Each recipe is worth two points, with modifiers based on the guests’ preferences (favourites: +4 points, likes: +2 points, dislikes: -1 point, restrictions: -3 points).

Player Experience

Playing **Picky Eaters** is a fun and strategic experience. Each round brings a new guest with unique food preferences, challenging players to adapt their recipes on the fly. The game requires a balance between planning ahead and being flexible, as the market and guests’ preferences can change significantly each round. The inclusion of “take that” item cards adds a social element, allowing players to interact and sometimes sabotage each other’s efforts.

Pros

Dynamic Gameplay: Each round introduces new challenges with changing guest preferences.

Strategic Depth: Players must balance gathering ingredients, preparing recipes, and using item cards effectively.

Relatable Theme: The game’s focus on accommodating picky eaters is relatable and engaging.

Easy to Learn: The mechanics are straightforward, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

Cons

Luck Factor: The random draw of guests and ingredients can sometimes feel unfair.

Limited Market: The market does not refill, which can limit players’ options as the game progresses.

“Take That” Mechanics: Some players may not enjoy the competitive aspect of item cards.

Personal Thoughts on Picky Eaters

**Picky Eaters** is ideal for families and casual gamers who enjoy strategic card games with a social twist. The game’s relatable theme and easy-to-learn mechanics make it a great addition to any game collection. However, it may not appeal to players who prefer games with less luck involved or those who are averse to competitive interactions. Overall, **Picky Eaters** offers a delightful blend of strategy and social interaction, making it a fun and engaging experience for players of various skill levels.

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