Witch's Brew - A Quickie Review

[maskmanjoe]

Maskmanjoe's Quickie Review of Witch's Brew
Fun bluffing game of role-selection where knowing when to take the lead and when to lay low will help you brew the winning concoction.

Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn, and cauldron bubble. Its the witching hour and the moon is high, time to make potions aplenty. But wait, everyone is called to join but only one can take the lead role. Is it going to be you?

Witch's Brew takes the role selection mechanic of games like Puerto Rico and adds a bit of sinister into the mix. Here, players vie for different roles that allow them to acquire ingredients, brew potions and obtain special items that add towards victory at the end of the game. But that is only if they get to keep the role. Every other player around the table will be given a chance to steal this role from the person before them, denying all those who previously tried to get it any gain. The last to hold claim on the role will gain big rewards. Now the prudent (or scared) can opt to avoid this risk by letting others take the lead, allowing them immediate--albeit small--gains.

At the heart of Witch's Brew is a light bluffing game. Its more than just selecting the right role at the right time; its knowing when to fight for a role and when to give way. Since players select only 5 roles from a  hand of 12 possible choices every turn, there are big possibilities that several roles aren't really contested. But how will you know? The player to your left can easily snatch the role you covet, so why risking taking the lead. But then again, he may have other goals in mind, so why settle for just a small reward. With a good bluff, players can spoil each others brewing plans without even trying.

So to the hopeful witches and warlocks, watch out for your fellow brothers and sisters of the craft, they are definitely after what you want. They will bluff their way into forcing you into mistakes, or outright steal the rewards from your hands. Are you guile enough to bluff right back?

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My quickie reviews are called likewise since I tend to write something short and quick to read. My goal: build enough curiosity to pull any reader to at least reading more about the things I review. There are people out there who are virtuosos with reviews; I leave it up to them to wow you readers with the details. As long as I pique your interest even slightly then I am a happy reviewer Cheers!