Ramen (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ramen is a card game that was released in 2018, designed by Vanessa Gale Ambata and Ivan Iserte, with artwork by Primigenio. It is a game for 2-5 players, with a runtime of 15-30 minutes and is suitable for ages 8 and up. The game falls under the category of card games and utilizes mechanisms such as auction/bidding, hand management, and set collection.

Game Components of Ramen

Ingredient cards: Featuring seven different ingredients, each with values from 0 to 7.

Ramen bowls: Represented by cards where players place their ingredients.

Shoyu cards: Special cards that can be added to bowls under specific conditions.

Player cards: Used for bidding and selecting ingredients.

How To Setup Ramen

To set up Ramen, start by placing the three ramen bowl cards in the center of the table. Shuffle the deck of ingredient cards and deal four cards to each player. Place the rest of the deck near the bowls and flip over the first four cards to create the “fridge” area. Determine who goes first, often the player who last ate a bowl of ramen.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Bidding: Players bid secretly with their ingredient cards to determine the turn order.

Ingredient Selection: Players choose one of the offered ingredient cards from the line and add it to one of their ramen bowls.

Scoring: Points are awarded based on the number of different ingredients in each bowl. Tips are granted to players with the lowest total combined value of ingredients in their completed bowls.

Objective: The player who earns the most yen at the end of the game, by collecting and strategically placing ingredients, wins.

Player Experience

In Ramen, you embark on a journey to become the top noodle chef by strategically collecting and placing ingredients into your ramen bowls. Each round involves bidding for turn order and selecting the best ingredients to add to your bowls. The game requires a balance between getting a variety of ingredients and keeping the total value low to maximize tips.

Pros

Simple yet Strategic: Easy to learn but offers deep strategic gameplay.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 8 and up, making it a great family game.

Quick Playtime: Games typically last between 15 to 30 minutes.

High Replayability: Different ingredient combinations ensure each game is unique.

Cons

Luck of the Draw: Players are dependent on the cards they draw, which can be unpredictable.

Limited Complexity: While strategic, the game mechanics may be too simple for some experienced gamers.

Player Count Limitation: Best with 2-5 players, which might limit play with larger groups.

Personal Thoughts on Ramen

Ramen is an excellent choice for families or casual gamers looking for a fun, quick game that still requires strategic thinking. It’s perfect for those who enjoy set collection and bidding mechanics without the complexity of more advanced games. If you’re a fan of cooking or food-themed games, Ramen is definitely worth a try. However, if you’re seeking a game with more intricate mechanics or longer play sessions, you might want to explore other options.

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