Tentacle Bento (2012) Board Game

Tentacle Bento is a card game that was released in 2012 by Ninja Division and Soda Pop Miniatures. Designed by Andrea Cofrancesco, the game is intended for mature audiences due to its provocative theme of tentacle monsters trying to capture schoolgirls. It falls under the categories of card game, mature/adult, and science fiction.

Game Components of Tentacle Bento

108 cards: 44 students, 28 captures, 28 locations, 4 events, 3 characters, and 1 direction of Play card.

Player count: 2 to 6 players.

How To Setup Tentacle Bento

To set up Tentacle Bento, players need to shuffle the deck and deal a starting hand to each player. The remaining cards are placed face down in a draw pile. The game includes various card types such as students, captures, locations, and events, which are used to navigate the university and capture students.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective: The alien who captures the most students before the end of the school year wins.

Gameplay Mechanics:

Card Draw: Players draw cards from the deck to gain resources and opportunities.

Student Capture: Using capture cards to take student cards.

Location Use: Utilizing location cards to enhance gameplay or hinder opponents.

Event Cards: Drawing event cards can trigger sudden game endings or other significant effects.

End Game: The game ends randomly and suddenly upon drawing the fourth Event card in a row.

Player Experience

Playing Tentacle Bento can be a fast-paced and humorous experience, but it also comes with controversy due to its thematic content. The game’s premise of aliens capturing school girls has raised concerns about making light of serious issues like rape. However, some players find it entertaining and argue that it does not promote harmful behavior but rather serves as a satirical take.

Pros

Fast-paced gameplay: Quick turns and sudden endings keep the game engaging and unpredictable.

Humorous theme: The game’s quirky and humorous setting can appeal to players looking for a light-hearted experience.

Simple to learn: The rules are straightforward, making it easy for new players to join in.

Cons

Controversial theme: The game’s content has been criticized for making light of serious issues, which may make it off-putting to some players.

Random end game: The sudden end triggered by event cards can be frustrating for some players who prefer more control over the game’s duration.

Personal Thoughts on Tentacle Bento

Tentacle Bento is for players who enjoy quirky, humorous themes and are not easily offended by controversial content. It is not suitable for all audiences, especially those who are sensitive to themes that might be perceived as insensitive or problematic. The game’s fast-paced mechanics and simple rules make it accessible, but the thematic controversy surrounding it means it is best suited for players who can differentiate between game content and real-world issues.

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