Spots (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Spots is a board game released in 2022 and designed by Alex Hague, Jon Perry, and Justin Vickers. The game features cute animal illustrations by artist John Bond and is published by CMYK. Spots falls under the category of Animals and Dice, and it includes mechanics such as Action Drafting, Contracts, Dice Rolling, Push Your Luck, and Race.

Game Components of Spots

Dice: Six-sided dice with irregular, spot-like pips to match the dog theme.

Dog Cards: A deck of cards featuring various dog breeds, each with spots that correspond to the dice pips.

Trick Tiles: Large, chunky cardboard tiles with instructions for different tricks like Walk, Run, Beg, and Fetch. Each tile has a colored ribbon and unique shape for accessibility.

Treats: Small wooden dog bones used for re-rolling dice.

Yard and Doghouse: Components for each player to manage their dice and completed dog cards.

How To Setup Spots

To set up the game, shuffle the dog cards and deal two to each player, placing them gray-side up. Each player receives a yard, one die, and one treat. Roll the dice to determine the starting player; the player with the highest number goes first. Place six trick tiles on the table, using the suggested set for the first game or any other combination. The remaining dog cards form the draw pile, and the dice and treats are placed within reach of all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective: Be the first player to score six dog cards by filling in all the spots on each card with matching dice rolls.

Gameplay Mechanics:

Rolling Dice: Players roll dice to fill in the spots on their dog cards.

Trick Tiles: Players can choose to perform a trick by following the instructions on a trick tile, which often involves rolling and placing dice.

Scoring Dogs: Complete dog cards by filling all the spots and then flip them over to score. Draw new dog cards to replace scored ones, maintaining a maximum of six dog cards per player.

Busting: If a player accumulates more than seven points worth of dice in their yard, they bust, losing all their dice and ending their turn.

Re-rolling: Players can use treats to re-roll all the dice they just rolled.

Player Experience

**Spots** offers a delightful and engaging experience, particularly for dog lovers and families. The game is easy to learn, with simple rules that are well explained through an illustrated manual. The game’s push-your-luck mechanic adds a layer of excitement and risk, making each turn unpredictable. The adorable dog illustrations and custom-designed dice enhance the game’s charm and tactility.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules and an illustrated manual make it accessible to a wide range of players.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 10 and up, but can be enjoyed by younger kids as well.

Push-Your-Luck Mechanic: Adds excitement and unpredictability to the game.

Custom Components: Unique dice and trick tiles enhance the game’s theme and playability.

Cons

Re-roll Rule: Re-rolling all dice at once can be frustrating at times.

Busting Penalty: The severe penalty for busting can be discouraging.

Personal Thoughts on Spots

**Spots** is an excellent choice for families, casual gamers, and anyone who enjoys light-hearted, thematic games. The game’s charm, combined with its easy-to-learn rules and engaging gameplay, makes it a great addition to any game collection. It’s particularly appealing to dog lovers due to its adorable illustrations and fun dog-themed mechanics.

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