Honey Buzz - Why Own It? Mechanics & Theme Board Game Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ค. 2024
- Bees; making accounting fun since 2020. Evolve your group of worker bees quickly (aww, baby bees), to take those worker action spots to add puzzle pieces to your personal hive. Then get to work seeking out nectar to make different varieties of honey to sell on the honey stock exchange (thematic liberties taken) and fulfill contracts. Join us for our review of Honey Buzz… you better bee-lieve that this bee-autiful game will bee a brain burner.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Theme overview (Themer)
01:29 Mechanics overview (Thinker)
07:00 Themer thoughts (& component quality)
10:29 Thinker thoughts
13:35 Solo gameplay (Themer)
15:47 Why own it?
Designer: Paul Salomon
Players: 1-4
Play time: 45-90min
Publisher: Elf Creek Games
For more game info: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2...
Thanks for stopping by for our mechanics & theme board game review of Honey Buzz. We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience.
Are you #teamthinker or #teamthemer? ❤🏳️🌈🇦🇺
Thank you for sharing this!
You described the nuance of the worker placement perfectly. It’s a tricky thing for players to understand because they expect to take actions immediately.
You two are wonderful and brilliant.
Thank you for watching and the lovely feedback Paul! Your game is just gorgeous and sooo clever... you must be so proud to see it being played and loved all around the world. Thank you for the hours of joy it has brought us so far! 🥰💕
@@ThinkerThemer I’ve been working on it for 5 years, so I am overjoyed to have it out in the world and enjoyed by strangers. Anne Heidsieck was a godsend for this art and I am forever in her debt and to Elf Creek of course. Thank you for so much for sharing your enjoyment. :)
You can 100% feel that this was a game made with that kind of passion and dedication.... and Anne's artwork and Elf Creek's production were such great choices to bring your world to life. Can't wait to hear about what you're working on next! 👀
@@ThinkerThemer Well I have a Mendelian genetics game coming out with Genius Games in a couple months called Genotype. But we have some very exciting new developments in Sweetwater Grove. Nothing to announce yet, but I am very excited for expansion possibilities. :)
Oh no, another game for my wish list LOL. Eager to try this one.
Hello from Italy!
Found your channel a couple of weeks ago, and going to watch all videos now.
Thank you for bringing into the hobby a Oz point of view. It's nice, here and there to hear references from a land so far from here.
BTW yesterday I received your Monday t-shirt. So nice and so yellow!!
Keep up the good work!
You two instantly sold me on this game
Hahahaha was it our bee puns in the description? No, I'm joking, they're not convincing anyone 🙃
Honestly I was pretty skeptical about this game going in, but I think you did a great job of highlighting what makes it interesting and unique. That cell pattern mechanic is very creative! I will definitely be keeping Honey Buzz in mind for future purchases!
Thank you so much! It is certainly meatier than it appears and Maggie just adores it and its theme. Appreciate you taking the time to comment and welcome again! 🥰
I think y’all convinced me to get Honey Buzz! Hopefully I can get my hands on the deluxe version - the components look top notch. I love Everdell, so this is right up my alley. Also want to say, love your content! Discovered your channel after Before You Play’s shoutout. Keep it up!
Thank you so much for the lovely feedback and very glad to have you here! Monique and Naveen were so kind to mention us in that video, we are big fans of theirs and couldn't believe it :) hope you can find a copy of Honey Buzz... it is gorgeous. ☺
I’m so enjoying your videos - you really make the games come alive. Thank you. I got Honey Buzz for the family for Christmas - it’s waiting under the tree and I can’t wait to open it and start playing.
Lucky family!!! Thank you so much for the kind words about our videos, that is such lovely feedback. Wishing you and your family a very happy and safe festive season 💕🎄
loved this review and while I watch mostly your new reviews the quality of the production of this video was amazing! thanks as always
Thank you so much Adam! 🥰
Oh no!! You totally sold me on this! I was trying to convince myself that I wasn't that interested, but then when you added the "crunchy like Calico" comparison I buckled! Now I just have to find a place to get it
Oops! Sorry! In our top games of 2020 I (Amy) rank Calico higher and Maggie ranks Honey Buzz higher 😆 both enjoyable games though!
It‘s so great to listen to you both talking about this great game. I just played my first game and I also was catched immediately about it. About the ‚furry‘ Beeple I think it‘s the one which does the forage (forage token), it slides better on the board with the fur.
Lol! That makes so much sense Sigi thank you! We just decided she was our special first Queen beeple or something hehehe. Thanks for the lovely feedback too. Enjoy the game!
Yay for Worker Placement!!! This one is still waiting to hit the table but you will be happy to know that it has been unboxed and organized. I did get to play it in the preproduction phase at PAX Unplugged last year though.
I am very happy to know that.... and very much look forward to the day when we can reflect on here about the preproduction games we played TOGETHER at cons! 🤞 ✈
Wait wait wait... you unboxed a game, organized it, and didn't play it immediately? ...That's possible?!?
Ohh I love it soo much! Like Maggie said she liked it’s Solo. I loved its solo too. I haven’t played in 4 players but will try . Just a very appropriate mid weight game! Loved it!! Theme is super adorable that honey pot, beautiful ❤️❤️🥰
The honey pot!!! Gorrrrrgeous! So glad you're enjoying this one too. Thanks for watching and all of your support ☺
@@ThinkerThemer love your content! Hope you grow bigger and bigger! Don’t forget me though 🙈🙈
Hahaha never!!! We are not too bothered by the size of the channel... just the great people we are meeting and the chats we get to have about boardgames ALL OF THE TIME!!! 😍😍😍 (except when we're working, boo work)
@@ThinkerThemer I love it too, I have never been that active atleast not on comments ! Your content is amazing plus you guys rock!
I read other people’s comment too here, love the people’s different perspective and intriguing questions!! ❤️
what a contrast with the superdry jon gets games, which made the game sound super complex. You're almost drooling over the game board. Sounds like a nice puzzle. I put it on my wishlist.
I bought this game last night knowing nothing about it, just because I liked how it looked. Your review makes me so glad I did and I’m excited to play it!
Aw thanks so much Alison that is really lovely feedback. Thanks for taking the time to comment and let us know what you think of the game!! ☺
Thank you so much!!
We just finished our first game and absolutely loved it! My husband kicked my butt, but it was still really fun. I love all the tough choices and having so many options!
Yay so happy to hear Alison...! Thanks for taking the time to tell us how it went ☺
@@alisonjohnson8623 so happy to hear it!!!
Bzzzzzzz! Thanks for another wonderful review. This is a game I wouldn’t have considered from the cover artwork, as it strikes me as a family/kid game. With your review, I see that there’s a LOT more going on inside the hive than the cover would suggest. I’m also craving honey now. :)
Wait a minute.. I like bees! I like honey! ...Buuuut sadly I feel this game is a bit light for my collection right now, as i already have enough games taking up the light/medium category. I definitely see the appeal however, especially with those amazing deluxe components - the game is gorgeous!
Random note; I just had a thought at the end of the video - Maggie was talking about the AI cards that simply take up tile selection spots on the board - Perhaps adding this to the 2 player mode would give a similar feel to more players? I wouldnt say the dummy bee would completely block the space, but just make it so the next person would need to pay 2 if they visited.. Just a thought. I personally dont mind the dummy mechanic in most games, like Teotihuacan or Glen More 2.
Anywho, great review for a game with a lot of buzz!.. sorry.. I'll go now..
Hahaha a lot of buzz... how did we miss that pun opportunity?!? It was maybe a little light my tastes more generally (Amy) but we played it with other fairly heavy gamers who seemed to enjoy it a lot! That's a good idea for adding in more tension for a 2 player game. I don't mind the implementation of that in Teo but actually really dislike it in Glen More 2!!! That die feels so destructive lol. Thanks for watching and commenting as always Ken! ☺
@@ThinkerThemer Yeaaah, I can certainly understand not being pleased with the dummy die in GM2 (i've cursed him many times!), but have you ever played with other people?! lol.. They will consistently take what you want, instead of only sometimes! Also, just in case I wanted to make sure you're playing the rule whereby the dummy player can never take any tile with an expansion icon in the top right, which makes it slightly less annoying than another person as well. :)
Edit: Oh and I forgot to mention, the tile that the dummy takes can always be re-taken by the bonuses which allow you to search the discard and take a tile (there's one on the clan board, and one or two on the better location cards from Chronicle 6 I believe).
I really love your videos! They are so great! I just got my kickstarter last week , and I can not wait to finally get to play it!
Thank you so much for the lovely feedback!! Let us know what you think after you've played it, would love to hear your thoughts ☺
Finally was able to play it at 2 and we immediately fell in love. The components are phenomenal, and the game is deceptively strategic.
Yaaaay! So glad that you enjoyed it!!! Thanks for reporting back ☺ I think backers everywhere are going to be very happy with this one...
Great, fun review. I didn't back the game but I pre-ordered it later on their site. I saw Rahodos' and Zees' reviews and they got me thinking about it. it was your review that sealed it for me. I am always looking for games that my wife would like to play. Since discovering your site, I now have a unique source of information and opinions to assist me in that endeavor. Thanks.
Thanks so much for this lovely feedback Ari and glad to hear you are picking this game up. Would love to hear what you think once you and your wife have had a chance to play. Great to have you here! ☺
Thanks for the review! This game looks like a perfect combination of theme and mechanics. Also, that deluxe version looks amazing!
It is so beautiful and as you said it had enough thinkiness and theme to appeal to us both! Thanks for taking the time to comment again Donald!
@@ThinkerThemer Looking forward to your next video!
I was all in on this kickstarter. Even got the wooden coins. The game is amazing!! This game and Elf Creek Games last game Atlantis Rising 2nd Edition has been insanely good. Can’t wait for their next game.
Same we are all in on Merchants too and this makes us even more excited. I (Amy) am getting Atlantis Rising for Christmas yay!!!! We don't normally do cooperative games but the reviews are just soo good we can't resist... Thanks for taking the time to comment Niels. ☺
Another excellent review and episode. You make it hard to say no to games you both agree on. Thanks! Lol
Thank you Omar!! We usually agree more .. this year has surprised us with quite a few that one of us prefers more than the other. Maybe that means our tastes are becoming more specific..! Thanks for commenting as always ☺
Hi Amy and Maggie, I just found your channel and really enjoy your dynamic! I really want Honey Buzz now :) and love to hear about the solo game play as I usually play that way.
Hi Monster Mash! We are so happy to have you here, welcome! Maggie does try to speak to the solo game experience. She likes to play without me sometimes LOL. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the great feedback on the game. I saw this game out there but did not give it a closer look. Now that I have watched the video I am going to take a much more serious look at it and probably get it in the collection.
Thanks for the kind feedback Shawn! It is a game that will appeal to a range of gamers we think... especially with such a strong theme. ☺
@@ThinkerThemer I agree on the wide range of appeal. I play with a big group that meets monthly (pre-post pandemic obviously) that are all part of o an urban gardeners/farmers network here in Seattle. There is a wide range of game experience and style preferences in the group. So I always take a big bag of diverse games and this theme will be a HIT! Thanks!
Whaaat that is so cool! Do you also swap produce??? Amazing ☺
@@ThinkerThemer Yes, we share produce and have a big potluck with dishes often made with items from gardens. Many people in this meetup are a subgroup of gardeners in the city wide program who "manage" a program where volunteers grow produce for donation to food banks and feeding programs, called the Giving Garden Network. There are about 90 urban gardens/farms ranging is size from about 20 garden plots to about 350, in the Seattle P-Patch Program. The garden I am part of has about 80 families in it. We have a little website about our garden here: www.ballardppatch.org/home.html All the best and have a happy holiday, safe travels!
That is incredible Shawn... what an amazing thing to be a part of and I love anything that brings a community together like this. And then also to have gamers within that group - perfection!!! I look forward to following along with what you're playing with the group each month once you're able to get back to the table 😊💕
I definitely want to play and probably buy this. Plus you guys are so darn smart and upbeat, your vids are fun in themselves. 👍👍
GREAT JOB!! Subbed and hit the bell instantly!
Thank you so much Jahnie! ☺ Glad to have you here.
Ive been waiting forever for this game to become available here in Australia. But have only seen it on Pre'-order, which I've never done before. But after seeing this review (and your recent mention of its expansion in backchat), i couldn't wait any longer, and I just ordered the delux version of this game with approx expected available date this month. Cant wait to get it to the table.
I keep seeing and hearing about this game and how beautiful it is. I think it might be one on my list to pick up if I see it go on sale, as well as keeping an eye out for the deluxe bits!
Maggie, have you played with the expansion yet solo? If so, thoughts? Thanks for the content!
I just discovered this channel and I already love it!
Thanks so much Lizamarie! Glad to have you here 💕
@@ThinkerThemer Greetings from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷
There's a "Fall Flavors" expansion pre-order with five new modules and the art still looks exceptional.
I love how much puzzle elements this has! Will definiyely get it once it is restocked at the LGS 😍
Hello ladies ! I will buy this game as I love honey and bees are our heros ! Thank you
Thanks for taking the time to comment Marie! Enjoy Honey Buzz!
Great Review, just added this as an add on in my Merchants of the Dark Road pledge!
Whoohoo! Cant wait for that one to arrive too!!!
Great review! I hadn't considered this game seriously; it looked a little too light on the outside, but the puzzle sounds fun and engaging and the solo variants definitely sound interesting.
Thank you Mindy! I didn't expect it to be so 'thinky' either but it is certainly a different and interesting type of spatial puzzle. Thanks for taking the time to comment and watch this one! :)
Great review again. Would love to hear your thoughts on Red Outpost. It's worker placement with a twist, haven't played it yet but hoping to get it soon.
Thanks Fredz! Actually we have Red Outpost but just haven't gotten to it yet... we are intrigued by it too and cant wait to get it to the table...! Thanks for watching as always ☺
I'm pretty late to this game and the video but have you both compared Honey Buzz to the other honey bee themed games Queenz and Beez? I've been trying to do research on what bee theme game to get my wife. Great video btw.
I was wondering what you guys thought of The Wolves??
Great content! I love the review from theme and mechanics perspective, I always look forward for the weekly kickstarter backing review lol. You are now one of my gatekeeper from over backing. I just received my copy of the bees super excited to try, just wondering if you guys backed the wooden coin? If so we’re u able to fit into your box?
I wait for her weekly Kickstarters too! 🙋♀️
Did you back the coffee traders that she mentioned last time? Curious.
Thanks so much for this lovely feedback Marg and glad to hear the KS diaries has been useful... although I'm slightly concerned if I'm your gatekeeper 😂😂 you must back even more than I do!!
*Sigh* the ongoing saga of me not buying the coins (Maggie tells me off every time).... coins always add so much to the cost and usually our postage to Australia can nearly be as much as the game so it's one way that I try to save a bit of money. At least the cardboard is nice and thick with this one. I don't remember the box being super overflowing... you might need to swap out some of the 'standard' pieces in favour of the deluxified ones...? Sorry I can't be more help on this one! Thanks for taking the time to comment ☺
@@ThinkerThemer haha I’m working on not backing as much, so I am looking for every reason not to back a game. Your review and play style is a close match to my play style, always love to hear your opinion that is pure as a kickstarter backer (no paid promotion or any influence from content creators). Trust me you didn’t miss out on the wooden coin, they arrived a little disappointed, the number coloring is sort of faded and still haven’t figured out how to fit them into the box.
@@kritisharma1123 unfortunately I did not back coffee, I am looking into preorder options at the moment lol. At the time the art didn’t pull me in, I’m deff on the themer side when it comes to first impression.
@@ThinkerThemer just out of curiosity, did you guys back Feudum by Mark Swanson? If so, what do you think of the game? Still in the process of learning the game, is so hard lol
Hey there! Another nice review! Well, I won't comment anything about the Tae presence of the game as it it gorgeous, especially with deluxe upgrade pack. However, is it enough for more experienced players, will it keep us busy? From the lighter games that I have only Cathala's kanagawa and Ishtar can do it. Keep up the good work girls!
Hi Gerasimos! Maggie finds the puzzle much harder than I do, I think the spatial reasoning element of it is more challenging for her in general. I wouldn't say it is super complex and I would usually only play it with my more casual gamer friends. Plenty of experienced gamers play this but for myself i'm always trying to get my heavier games to the table. Maggie values the artwork & theme a lot more so I think she would opt to play this often and even plays it solo. Sorry for the mixed answer!! I think this one really comes down to whether or not the puzzle type is something that interests you! Thanks for watching 😊
Fellow backer. Beautify components.
😏even the pollen.
Gorgeous right?? The pollen in the backpacks is so cute 🥰
I missed this campaign and the extra deluxe copies at their shop, but I’m definitely keeping my out for this one. PS: I loved the ITR your buzzing friend had!
Ah yes this one!! Great!!! 😃 Have you played Calico as well? A smaller box game with lots of satisfying puzzle and very nicely designed components.
I completely agree on the multi player solitaire comment. Almost 90% of current board games do not interest me due to this. What's wrong with some direct interaction like Caylus, El Grande, Steam & Web of Power (and even TTR). Just give me a single central board we can all enjoy and interact on, without my own tableau...
YES!!! 💕 there seems to be a bit of a swing away from interactive games this year.... whereas 2019 was a great year for this (Crystal palace, pax pamir, egizia etc). I guess it also makes it easier to be played solo which will help a lot of people in 2020 lockdowns, but I am all for bringing it back!!! (Sorry Maggie hehe)
Since you mentioned you much prefer this game multiplayer rather than two-player, can you name some multiplayer games that you prefer better with just two? I dislike playing any game two-player and only play games with a minimum of three. I would rather not play at all than play a game two player. Do you have any games you like best with two? By the way, I've ordered Honey Buzz and Nusfjord based on your reviews (but haven't played them yet).
Hmm Jacob we are similar to you, we love to play with 3 or 4 players and only really started playing just us during COVID. Nusfjord is a goodie at 2 and is a breeze to set up... Obsession is great at 2 and would drag a bit I think at highest player counts. We love an oldie Dominion at 2. Also Pax Pamir 2nd Ed. 😊 A lot of people think Grand Austria Hotel is one of the best 2 player big box games. For us we like it OK but would always play Nusfjord first I think. Roads and Boats is great at 2 but has a significant rules overhead and is "fiddly" and pretty unattractive lol. Hope that helps, thanks for watching and let us know what you think of Honey Buzz and Nusfjord once you've had a chance to get them to the table ☺
@@ThinkerThemer Interesting. I have all of the ones you mentioned except Grand Austria Hotel. I think I read once that it is a super long game so I never looked into it further. Dominion is one of my favourite games, but I will never play it two player again. I've tried a few times, but no more. If I've figured out the ideal number of players for a game I really like and anything other than significantly drops the enjoyment of the game - I'd rather not play that game. I would not want to eat my favourite dessert when I'm full or have it too often because it just won't be as good. I think the only way I can play Nusfjord and Honey Buzz in the foreseeable future is two player so I'll let you know what I think when it happens. I take full responsibility for my game purchases and won't blame you if I don't like them!
That is fair enough. We are probably oriented more towards bigger box games at 2 rather than 2 player games (smaller box experiences). But yes most of my favourite games are 4 player... I thrive on the interaction whereas Maggie would rather just focus on her own turn / multiplayer solitaire so we have to find games that suit both of us. Thanks for watching!
Did not back it- but just went and ordered the deluxe version on the website 😁
Whoohoo! Would love to hear what you think Kate ☺
Bee Movie The Board Game
You sold me on this game as well. I wonder if the deluxe version is available here in the US? Thanks so much🤟🏻
Deluxe edition is available in the US from the Elf Creek Games website.
@@paulsalomon27 yay that’s amazing. Thanks so so so so so much🤟🏻
Thanks for taking the time to comment Michael and glad you could track down the game 😁
@@ThinkerThemer thank you both. We love your channel and your differing viewpoints on the games. It really resonates with us and is pretty instrumental in us considering a new a game into our collection.
That is so wonderful to hear thank you! Still feeling very new to this so it is lovely that it is resonating ☺ do you tend to favour mechanics or theme?
Would someone who has never played a worker placement game understand it? How easy is it for a beginner?
Hi Barbara! The worker placement element is not challenging at all. The most challenging part is probably the puzzle itself and understanding how to create the honeycomb patterns. If you can understand that from the rulebook online and think you can teach it to the audience I don't think the rest should be too difficult.
@@ThinkerThemer Thank you!
Have you tried Unearth. Similar hex pattern building for rewards. May be worth checking out if you can find it. The art and components are fantastic in this one.
I've seen the box art but didn't realise it was hex pattern building! Thanks for the recommendation James. Yes Elf Creek Games have done an amazing job on the production here... makes me excited for Merchants... 😊 Thanks for watching and commenting as always!! 💕
@@ThinkerThemer tell me you backed Merchants of the Dark Road too!
Unearth also has a recent expansion that adds some new game play
Of COURSE Jazz!!!
3 dislikes??
TT Hive, it’s time to swarm!!
🌈🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🌈
LOL... haters gonna hate 🤷♀️🌈❤
I'm on the fence about spending $200 on the current Kickstarter.
Would you still get this game for solo or 2p only?
Hi Farkas! I think if you're ok with lower levels of player interaction you will still enjoy the puzzle! Maggie loves it at every player count, including solo, but that's because she doesn't care too much about high or low player interaction and the core puzzle is equally satisfying at all player counts. I prefer it at 4 because it makes the worker placement harder / more tense and everything becomes a bit more of a race. It also leads to more down time though so it really depends on what you value. I hope that helps somewhat!
@@ThinkerThemer thanks, Amy! Super helpful answer. I think I’m definitely more like Maggie, whilst my partner is not as much of a gamer but she likes certain types of puzzles and with the theme, this might be well received with her too! So probably a winner and I’ll pick it up once available. I really liked this review and looking forward to your next ☺️ Timea
Timea! Sorry for getting your first name wrong! If you're like Maggie then it sounds like you will enjoy the solo experience and it is light enough of a game to be teachable to your partner as a non / infrequent gamer. Hope you enjoy it and would love to know what you think once you've gotten it to the table ☺💕
@@ThinkerThemer absolutely no problem about the name! I will 😊 Merry Christmas to you both 🎄💖
@@timeafarkas Most of the playtests during development were 2-player, and I think the game works very well at that player count. The puzzle of the hive building and setting up combos is engaging it all player counts. (I’m biased of course).
honey buzz or wonderlands war?
WW would win for our tastes 😄