Sushi Boat (2023) Board Game

Sushi Boat is a card game designed by Eveen Kwan and published by Japanime Games. It was released in 2023 and is suitable for 2 to 5 players, with the best experience being for 4 players. The game falls under the categories of card game and memory game, with mechanics such as hidden victory points, memory, set collection, slide/push, and worker placement.

Game Components of Sushi Boat

Wooden board: Serves as a dynamic conveyor belt for sushi plates.

Sushi plates: Plastic plates with dome-like sushi stickers.

Chopstick holder: Component box designed like chopstick holders.

Ceramic plate: For holding wasabi cubes.

Plastic money tray: For yen.

Wooden pawns: Player pawns.

Side dish deck: Includes special action cards and Wasabi Challenge cards.

Menu cards: Optional, explain different types of sushi.

Staff tiles: Randomized and placed at seat locations[4/.

How To Setup Sushi Boat

To set up *Sushi Boat*, start by placing the wooden board and filling it with sushi plates, ensuring the white plates are left out until this is done. Three extra plates are set aside as the starting garbage stack. Staff tiles are randomized and placed at five seat locations. The side dish deck is prepared by removing some cards based on the player count and shuffling in the four Wasabi Challenge cards. Each player receives a player mat, a matching colored pawn, and two yen. If using the optional Menu Card rules, each player is dealt two menus and chooses one to keep.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Turns: Each turn begins with the active player flipping up the next side dish card, which indicates how much sushi is added to the conveyor belt.

Seating: Players choose a seat, with the option to pay another player one yen to take their spot.

Actions: Players can take one yen, buy a side dish card, or tip staff for bonuses.

Eating Sushi: Players eat the sushi plate assigned to their seat spot and add it to their hidden sushi stack.

Wasabi Challenges: Game pauses when a Wasabi Challenge card is drawn; players bet on the colors of hidden plates under the conveyor belt tunnel.

Scoring: Points are awarded for color-matched plates, variety of sushi types, most side dishes eaten, and wasabi cubes collected.

Player Experience

*Sushi Boat* offers a unique blend of strategic planning and memory challenges. Players must remember what sushi they have eaten to maximize their scores, as they cannot look through or rearrange their sushi stack. The game features competitive elements, such as timing side dish collection and participating in Wasabi Challenges, which encourage creative use of actions. However, the game can be unforgiving, with unexpected challenges and a tight economy that requires careful decision-making.

Pros

High-quality components: Top-notch production quality with unique and detailed components.

Engaging theme: An all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant setting that enhances gameplay.

Strategic depth: Players must weigh actions carefully, considering seating position and sushi availability.

Variety in gameplay: Includes side dishes and Wasabi Challenges that add unpredictability.

Cons

Memory challenge: Players must remember what sushi they have eaten, which can be challenging and frustrating.

Physical seating issues: The elongated shape of the board can give some players better visibility than others.

Unpredictable Wasabi Challenges: These can interrupt gameplay and require sudden attention.

Personal Thoughts on Sushi Boat

*Sushi Boat* is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a light, fun theme. It is best suited for those who appreciate worker-placement mechanics and are willing to engage in memory-based challenges. The game is competitive and can be quite unforgiving, making it a great choice for experienced board game enthusiasts. However, new players might find the memory aspect and sudden challenges overwhelming, so it’s recommended for those looking for a bit of complexity and fun in their gaming experience.

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