Wolf these biscuits down

Woof Meow Biscuits  (2014) review

• Designer: Chih-Fan Chen
• Artist: Reola
• Publisher: Big Fun Games (Board Game)

2-5 players
15 minutes
ages 6 and up

Written by Guilou

Woof Meow Biscuits is a little card game published by Big Fun Games. It was designer by Chih-Fan Chen (Harvest Island, Fortune City) and the illustrations are from Reola (Cat 10).

The rules of the game are very simple. Each player has a three card hand. In turn order, you’ll draw a new card and then play one. There are two types of cards: the so-called normal cards with numbers and special cards.

Normal cards fall into two categories: dogs (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and cats (2, 3, 4).
In special cards, you’ll find: a change of « meaning », a « -1 » and a « only dogs ».

The principle is simple. On your turn, you must play a card. The values ​​will therefore be added to each other. If I play a 2 on a 3 it becomes ... a 5!
Like all gourmet animals, the goal of the game is to win the hot biscuits that are on the table. But it is not easy to win. Indeed, you will win a biscuit if and only if the number on the table reaches 14. If you go over, you will take a token warning (and that's not good!). If the number is not reached, play continues with the next player.
Instead of playing a number, you can also simply play a special card. If you play a « dog only », no one can play cats before a player takes a biscuits or a warning. If you have no choice and you find yourself playing a cat, too bad for you! You must take a warning and reset the counter (pile of cards).

The end of the game occurs when all biscuits or warnings have been taken. Each biscuit yields 7 points, each warning makes you lose 3 points.

An expert variant exists, if you feel that game is too easy, but the fact that you no longer play with biscuits takes away all of its charm.

I’ll just say right away, if you play exclusively between adult, the game will have fun time when you discover it. But we got tired quickly. The omnipresent luck, the fact that you can’t be really blocked by your hand of cards, or the reversal of this situation, will make you move quickly to something else. Playable from 2 to 5, the game offers a relatively short experience. The game is at it’s best with 4 - 5 players. Below that, you’ll lose much of your interest, except if you are a fans of math.

On the other hand, playable from 6 years old (you have to know how to count a little or learn), with children the game works pretty well. The material helps a lot. The cards are very good qualities, the biscuits are "chewable", warning tokens are pretty sturdy. And here all the arguments stated above are reversed. Luck gives a chance for young players. The fact that one is rarely blocked, prevents them from being too frustrated. The short game time helps to keep their attention. The little turnaround of the luck situation makes them less excited. But it does not mean there is none. There is still the possibility of trying to block others and push them to fault. This allows a few funny and cunning moments. The rules are very simple, your kids will find themselves quickly playing between each other, while having fun. In the time of each short game, you will also enjoy playing with your "toddlers". Who knows, this can also supplement their learning of additions.

Woof Meow Biscuits is therefore a game I’d advise for children. In this configuration, the game works well and allows you to have fun without too much effort.

Technical Score 8/10
Cards are very good, graphics are cute, biscuits are cute and well made.

My BGG Score 5/10
(Ok game, some fun or challenge at least, will play sporadically if in the right mood.)
This score takes into account playing with children and more than two.
A game with simple rules, cute, which can complete the learning of numbers.

Combined Score 6,5/10
And now it's over to you ...