Sock Monsters (2020) Board Game

Sock Monsters is a children’s memory game that was released in 2020 by Lifestyle Boardgames Ltd. Designed by Liesbeth Bos and Anja Dreier-Brückner, the game features a fun theme centered around laundry and socks, with players trying to match pairs of colorful sock monsters. The game is suitable for 2-4 players, with a runtime of 15-25 minutes and an age recommendation of 6+.

Game Components of Sock Monsters

3D game base

36 board tiles

16 player tokens

4 character placards

40 socks (5 colors, 8 each)

1 bag

4 elves figurines and 4 bases

4 monster figures

4 monster dice

1 color die

Game rules and additional components like rainbow socks, smelly socks, and boomerang socks in the mini-expansion.

How To Setup Sock Monsters

To set up the game, start by inserting the plastic game board into the game box or placing it in the middle of the table. Place four monster lair tiles on the corner spaces of the board, face up. Shuffle the remaining tiles and place one on each empty space on the board, face down. Each monster lair gets a monster die and a matching monster figure on top. Shuffle the 40 socks into the bag and give each player a placard, player tokens, and a pawn of a matching color. Each player draws a single sock from the bag and places it near their placard, then positions their pawn on one of the four central spaces of the board. Finally, determine the first player and give them the color die.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Key Mechanics:

Tile Placement: Players move their pawns and reveal tiles to collect socks.

Dice Rolling: Monster movements and actions are determined by dice rolls.

Set Collection: Players aim to collect pairs of socks.

Game Objective:

Each player must collect three pairs of socks to win the game.

On each turn, a player moves their pawn, reveals a tile, and potentially collects socks.

Before their turn, the player controls the monster’s turn based on the color die roll, which can result in the monster stealing socks or taking no action.

Player Experience

Sock Monsters offers a delightful and interactive experience, especially for children. The game’s cute art and fun monster game pieces make it a joy to play. A typical game lasts about 25 minutes, making it an excellent choice for a quick family game session. The game introduces new rules gradually as players progress, adding complexity and variety to the gameplay. This approach helps in keeping the game engaging without overwhelming young players.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The sock-stealing monsters and elves collecting socks theme is highly appealing to kids.

Gradual Rule Introduction: New rules are introduced as players progress, making the game more complex and interesting over time.

Short Playtime: Games are relatively short, lasting up to 25 minutes.

Interactive Components: The use of dice and tile flipping adds an element of surprise and interaction.

Cons

Randomness: The dice rolls introduce a significant element of luck, which might not appeal to players seeking more strategic depth.

Component Quality: Some players might find the pawns and tiles to be of average quality.

Personal Thoughts on Sock Monsters

Sock Monsters is an excellent game for families with younger children, particularly those in the lower elementary age group. The game’s theme is fun and relatable, and the gradual introduction of new rules makes it an ideal choice for introducing children to more complex board games. While it may not offer the depth that older players or serious gamers might seek, it is a great addition to any family game collection due to its simplicity, engaging theme, and short playtime.

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