This is one of my favorite games of 2020, so I'm glad you enjoyed it! I think the element that stood out to me the most (besides Elf Creek's stellar production) is that the worker placement part of the game didn't feel static. Most WP games involve sending out your pieces to get the same kinds of actions or rewards, but here, the worker placement gets you tiles that are used to make your own matrices of actions, which is cool! That was the hook for me. I understand that the "what" of the game's core arc (forage -> produce -> sell -> earn money) is similar each play, but the "how" is what's enticing here, especially with the objective cards that are weighted to offer so many points that you're forced to build the hive differently every game, prioritizing different types of cells, potentially going for orders earlier than normal, etc. It's been a fun puzzle every time.
Great review! It felt balanced, like you played it & let it marinate a bit before drawing your conclusions. That is refreshing; sometimes reviews seem caught up in the hype or beauty of a game's appearance & components. Very thorough too, much appreciated. Keep up the great work!
I like how you give a very balanced review based on multiple plays. I agree on your views on replay-ability and feel the same way. Hopefully this will be fixed in future expansions. Love the components though! Keep up the good work and I just subscribed.
I was absolutely smitten with this one. It's so pretty and I love the theme (we're beekeepers) and it's a pretty decent game to boot! One of my favourite releases of 2020.
The gummies are standard. You don't get the "fancy" pollen or fuzzy beeples etc. But I didn't care about that stuff. I bought standard retail and feel it was the right choice.
Fantastic details and integrity (non-shilling but still somewhat promotional) with specific improvement suggestions. More real reviews like this are hard to find nowadays, Subscribed.
Excellent rundown. Thanks. I found it helpful that you compared the economics of honey in this game to coal in other economic games. That was a good bit of insight.
It’s so hard constantly seeing that giant Takenoko behind you! It’s calling my name!! 😂 Definitely want to play Honey Buzz. Oh those components and artwork 😍 -Jodi
This game is fantastic! The whole game from design to components and (especially) rule book (oh so good). We just wanna play again and again to try different strategies. Love it!
This game has more replayabilities than I expected. There are some ideas I didn't try on the market because of the Queen's quests. I also tried to ignore the quests to see if it makes any difference. ......So yah totally, bee fan.😜❤
just got honey buzz deluxe from my flgs.. wow is it gorgeous.. can't wait for the expansion, this game will get played over and over ( yes it will be samey, but the eye candy alone will ensure this is played to death ) can't wait for the expansions to give more gameplay options..
Very helpful review as always from my favourite board game reviewer! One small thing.. I think that the gummy honey pieces are in fact included in the retail version as well. No need to purchase the upgrade kit.
One thing Luke didn’t mention is that most of the replayability comes from the queens contests, which are potentially worth a LOT of points and can’t be ignored. They really push you strongly in different directions, and for me, that is where most of the variability comes from. Every game of Honey Buzz is still a game of Honey Buzz, of course, but for me the puzzle is engaging and fun every time. Of course, I am quite biased. :)
It's slightly different scoring but it's not a massive change in how the game feels. You can get a contest about workers, well you need workers already so that's not a huge change. It's subtle changes.
I really like the look but I’m not sure about the replayability you mentioned. Can anyone who has played it more than 5 times let me know about replayability?
This is one of my favorite games of 2020, so I'm glad you enjoyed it! I think the element that stood out to me the most (besides Elf Creek's stellar production) is that the worker placement part of the game didn't feel static. Most WP games involve sending out your pieces to get the same kinds of actions or rewards, but here, the worker placement gets you tiles that are used to make your own matrices of actions, which is cool! That was the hook for me. I understand that the "what" of the game's core arc (forage -> produce -> sell -> earn money) is similar each play, but the "how" is what's enticing here, especially with the objective cards that are weighted to offer so many points that you're forced to build the hive differently every game, prioritizing different types of cells, potentially going for orders earlier than normal, etc. It's been a fun puzzle every time.
Glad you're getting the most out of it!
Had to contact Elk Creek customer service and they were top notch and quick responding. Game is beautiful and fun to play.
Agreed Leroy Godzicki!
Honey, I know the puns bug you, but you should bee nice.
..................goosfraba :P
Great review! It felt balanced, like you played it & let it marinate a bit before drawing your conclusions. That is refreshing; sometimes reviews seem caught up in the hype or beauty of a game's appearance & components. Very thorough too, much appreciated. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Billy! :D
I like how you give a very balanced review based on multiple plays. I agree on your views on replay-ability and feel the same way. Hopefully this will be fixed in future expansions. Love the components though! Keep up the good work and I just subscribed.
Much appreciated! Thanks for watching and subbing and hope you enjoy the other content!
I was absolutely smitten with this one. It's so pretty and I love the theme (we're beekeepers) and it's a pretty decent game to boot! One of my favourite releases of 2020.
Agreed Myriam Luvs Musik!
I believe I bought the retail copy and it had the gummy nectars. Don’t think that is a deluxe add on. Nice review and I agree with it completely.
The gummies are standard. You don't get the "fancy" pollen or fuzzy beeples etc. But I didn't care about that stuff. I bought standard retail and feel it was the right choice.
Yeah what he said!
I have been considering this game for a while now. Thanks for the input on it, Luke!
No worries!
Thanks for the very thoughtful review, Luke!!
Glad it was helpful!
Fantastic details and integrity (non-shilling but still somewhat promotional) with specific improvement suggestions. More real reviews like this are hard to find nowadays, Subscribed.
Thank you so much!
Excellent rundown. Thanks. I found it helpful that you compared the economics of honey in this game to coal in other economic games. That was a good bit of insight.
Honey > Coal especially in my chamomile tea!
It’s so hard constantly seeing that giant Takenoko behind you! It’s calling my name!! 😂 Definitely want to play Honey Buzz. Oh those components and artwork 😍
-Jodi
Ha ha it was there before our video though so it's not like I'm deliberately tempting you 😁
@@TheBrokenMeeple Oh I know, I’ve seen it on your shelf in your videos for a long time now. It’s just always there begging to be purchased 😆
Wicker Man reference 🙌🙌
This game is fantastic! The whole game from design to components and (especially) rule book (oh so good).
We just wanna play again and again to try different strategies. Love it!
Not sure how many strategies you can get from it really, that was one issue I had - but yeah I know you both are biiiig fans!
This game has more replayabilities than I expected.
There are some ideas I didn't try on the market because of the Queen's quests.
I also tried to ignore the quests to see if it makes any difference.
......So yah totally, bee fan.😜❤
Great review, I appreciate your honesty 👍
This new video format is great!!!!!
Thank you! Hard to get views on them, but they are the most professional i can make a video with my limited space/budget/resources.
just got honey buzz deluxe from my flgs.. wow is it gorgeous.. can't wait for the expansion, this game will get played over and over ( yes it will be samey, but the eye candy alone will ensure this is played to death ) can't wait for the expansions to give more gameplay options..
Elf Creek do make 'em look good.
Very helpful review as always from my favourite board game reviewer!
One small thing.. I think that the gummy honey pieces are in fact included in the retail version as well. No need to purchase the upgrade kit.
They are.
Ah right, my bad, I thought they were an upgrade (i forgot what came in my upgrade box after i ripped it open! :P)
Thank you for letting us know that it was a great rulebook & an easy game to learn.
Glad it was helpful!
This was excellent. I like the format and pacing.
Awesome, thank you!
Yep... the rulebook is quite great!
Agreed!
I love the look of this game and want to get it for my wife. The Beeples are awesome.
Agreed Michael Joyce!
We liked it too; clean and beautiful family-weight game 😀
Agreed Jonathan Bobal
For someone like myself, the forthcoming expansion is going to make all the difference in terms of replayability.
Will be interested to see what that does, but the game is long gone now.
Remember when you buy order cards you get a bonus action.
Indeed, but I'd still rather get more money up front.
@@TheBrokenMeeple I see your point, specially if you have multiple of the same.
My wife bought Honey Buzz. I think it's a decent game.
Agreed Leeroy Porkins!
Thanks for the review! I think I'll pass for now. I was kind of on the fence, but replay ability sounds like an issue.
One thing Luke didn’t mention is that most of the replayability comes from the queens contests, which are potentially worth a LOT of points and can’t be ignored. They really push you strongly in different directions, and for me, that is where most of the variability comes from. Every game of Honey Buzz is still a game of Honey Buzz, of course, but for me the puzzle is engaging and fun every time. Of course, I am quite biased. :)
It's slightly different scoring but it's not a massive change in how the game feels. You can get a contest about workers, well you need workers already so that's not a huge change. It's subtle changes.
I really like the look but I’m not sure about the replayability you mentioned. Can anyone who has played it more than 5 times let me know about replayability?
Honestly it's only got so much replay value - one to play every now and again not all the time.
@@TheBrokenMeeple thank you!
Could have sworn I heard Luke saying he liked an economic game
Ha ha light ones can sometimes get a pass! 😋 And honey trading beats out coal and iron refining any day!
@@TheBrokenMeeple lol let you off that one 🤣
only the deluxe.