Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum (2023) Board Game

Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum is a board game designed by Pauline Kong and published by Hot Banana Games. It was released in 2023 and has quickly gained popularity due to its unique theme of dim sum, a popular Chinese cuisine consisting of various small dishes served with tea.

Game Components of Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum

Player boards: Representing 12 Chinese Zodiac animals

Dim Sum pieces: Various types, including rubber dim sum bits for a tactile experience

Steamers: Containing different numbers of Dim Sum pieces

Food tokens: Used to collect Dim Sum

Fortune and Fate cards: Influence gameplay and scoring

Feast Zone indicator: Double-sided, matching player count

Scoreboard: To track player scores

Animal boards: Each with unique abilities and starting resources

How To Setup Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum

To set up the game, lay the board on the table and rotate the center to align the orange arrows. Place the Feast Zone indicator around the rotating portion, ensuring the orange lines match. Players choose their Feast zones and place their colored tokens. Set up the food tokens and Dim Sum pieces in the cloth bag. Randomly place Dim Sum into the Steamers, then mix and stack them on the turntable. Shuffle and deal the Fortune and Fate cards, and each player receives two animal boards, choosing one to play. Determine the first player who takes the chili oil token, and place the score marker at zero on the scoreboard.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Count: 2-5 players

Game Category: Light-medium weight strategy and set collection game

Mechanics: Action management, set collection, and card play

Objective: Collect Dim Sum pieces by acquiring and manipulating Steamers to fulfill your animal’s appetite and earn points.

Game End: Triggered when a set number of Steamers are purchased or the Fate deck is emptied.

Scoring: Points gained based on Dim Sum pieces collected and bonus points from animal board layouts.

Player Experience

**Steam Up** offers an immersive cultural experience, making it a delightful game for families and Dim Sum enthusiasts. Players compete to collect the heartiest meal, using strategy and the unique abilities of their chosen Chinese Zodiac animal. The game is praised for its engaging gameplay, charming artwork by Chinese artists, and the fun of using rubber Dim Sum pieces.

Pros

Engaging Gameplay: Appeals to both seasoned strategists and novice board-gamers.

Cultural Experience: Provides a genuine insight into Chinese culture and Dim Sum cuisine.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for family game nights.

Unique Components: Includes rubber Dim Sum pieces for a tactile experience.

Cons

Limited Variety: Some players might find the need for an expansion to add more variety to the cards and actions.

Complex Setup: Initial setup can be somewhat detailed and time-consuming.

Personal Thoughts on Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum

**Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum** is ideal for those who enjoy light to medium-weight strategy games and are interested in cultural experiences. It is particularly suited for families looking to spend quality time together and for anyone fascinated by Dim Sum and Chinese culture. The game’s ability to balance simplicity with strategic depth makes it a great addition to any board game collection.

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